Shetland Artists showcased in the Nordic Letterpress Network inaugural Exhibition

Outside the Toogs Artist Workshop, Michael holds up his Frozen Gloves letterpress print – the work selected for international exhibition in Sweden.

Five Shetland Artists are set to feature in an inaugural exhibition for the Nordic Letterpress Network in Stockholm later this year.

Artist Michael Wiseman is one of two artists whose works have been selected for the physical exhibition of the new Nordic Letterpress Network in Sweden this August and September. This marks Michael’s first ever public exhibition – a significant and exciting moment both for him and Gaada, where Michael attends Weekly Workshops to access printmaking equipment such as letterpress, screen print and intaglio.

Earlier this year, the Nordic Letterpress Network reached out to our organisation with news Shetland was to be included in the list of regions eligible to take part. This has been a massive affirmation of the hard work Gaada has put in to build links with our creative neighbours in Norway and beyond.

It feel particularly significant as this news follows the recent announcement by UNESCO-accredited Heritage Crafts that letterpress printing has been added to its Red List of Endangered Crafts - which ranks traditional crafts by the likelihood they will survive to the next generation. It puts into perspective the value of community-led spaces like Toogs Artist Workshop in sustaining and revitalising traditional printmaking techniques, and highlights how artist workshops can play an important role in supporting endangered crafts and keeping them relevant today.

Whilst Michael and Gaada co-founder, Daniel Clark, have both had their work selected for the main physical showcase, we’re equally proud that all other submitted works from Shetland Artists Robert Burns, Issey Medd and Jono Sandilands, will be featured in the digital strand of the exhibition – a celebration of the breadth and strength of contemporary letterpress practice in Shetland.

Reflecting on the experience, Michael said:

“I’m very thankful to be offered the chance to exhibit in Sweden.” Talking about the Frozen Gloves letterpress print Michael submitted he states, “The experience is hard to remember, but setting the text in letterpress and making the artwork is a lightsome reminder of what we did when we were there. It was my version of an Arctic Convoy!”

The Frozen Gloves design prepared for printing – a combination of wood engraving and traditional letterpress, composed and locked in the galley.

Michael reminisces “I was what was known as a First Tripper – it was my first time on a ship fishing – and it was to Bear Island off the coast of Norway. It was quite an experience!”

Jono Sandilands, workshop coordinator at the Toogs Artist Workshop said, “We are so proud of Michael and this well-deserved recognition of his work. It’s incredibly meaningful for Shetland Artists to be included in this international exhibition – it puts Shetland firmly on the contemporary letterpress map and strengthens our creative connections across the Nordic region.”

“Shetland has a rich history with printing, and we’re lucky to have a humble letterpress facility at the workshop, some of which includes type from historical Shetland printers. It’s a beautiful way to connect different artists, places and ideas. Michael has been exploring our letterpress equipment when he began coming to Weekly Workshops in 2023 and he’s really taken the lead on letterpress printing at the workshop. To see him exhibit internationally for the first time is something truly special!”

Exhibition details

The Nordic Letterpress Network Exhibition will take place at Grafiska Sällskapet, Hornsgatan 6, Stockholm from 29 August to 17 September 2025, with opening hours Tuesday to Thursday 12–18 and Friday to Saturday 12–16.

If you're in Stockholm that weekend, don’t miss the exhibition opening on the evening of Friday 29 August, followed by an artist conversation on Saturday 30 August at 2pm – a great chance to connect with artists and fellow print enthusiasts.

More about details about the gallery can be found at grafiskasallskapet.se.