I am an artist, educator, and DJ based in Pittsburgh, with a piece of my heart in Toronto. I began Mary Mack Prints as a natural offshoot of my print-focused artistic practice. My work is often inspired by the more-than-human world and begins with close observation and drawing, usually with brush and ink. I then adapt my drawings into designs that I screenprint by hand onto bandanas, as art prints, and more. I also use a risograph to transform my designs into stationery and affordable print editions (ask me anything about riso!). I am often inspired by walks in the woods of southwestern PA and love learning about native plans and foraging for edible mushrooms. My hand-printed goods celebrate our affinities with animals, mushrooms, plants, and one another.
A member ofJustseeds Artists’ Cooperative, I work with “printmaking in the expanded field,” including printstallation, interactive silkscreen printing in public space, and wearable artist multiples such as queer scout badges. As DJ Mary Mack I strive to make safe(r) spaces on dance floors for embodying a body politic with pleasure. I recently participated in the Fallingwater PG&H Maker Project and created products exclusively for Fallingwater’s gift shop, inspired by its site of Bear Run Nature Reserve. I am co-curator, with artist V. Adams, of Queer Ecology Hanky Project, an ever-expanding exhibit of over 130 artist-made bandanas.
ABOUT MY PRODUCTS:
All my textile pieces are screenprinted by hand from my original drawings with soft, non-toxic water-based inks. Each piece is heat-set and ready for use. I recommend that you wash your bandanas in cold water and line dry, to preserve their vibrant color. I hope you find some affinity with one of my bandanas, badges or prints and activate them in your own way.