In 2017, artist, design educator, and letterpress enthusiast Clint Harvey brought the bold, hands-on magic of large-format woodblock printing to Australia. These weren’t just any prints—they were ‘Monster’ blocks: massive woodblocks fueled by big ideas and an even bigger community impact.
Inspired by a visit to the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Wisconsin, USA, Harvey saw the potential for this monumental art form to thrive in Australia which is known for the Big banana, the big pineapple the big guitar, the time was right for the Monster Print.
Harvey brought this dynamic printmaking tradition to life at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) in Armidale, NSW. NERAM, a cultural cornerstone of the New England regional NSW region, which boasts a collection of over 5,000 artworks spanning historical, modern, and contemporary art. Beyond its galleries, NERAM serves as a vibrant community hub, housing the Museum of Printing which is also home for the Black Gully Printmakers who volunteer their time to keep the museum open to the public whilst working out of the space.
With NERAM as the backdrop, Harvey rolled out the first Monster Block during the first bi-annual Wayzgoose festival in 2017. Carved by artist Mark Pei, this tribute to bushranger Captain Thunderbolt not only wowed the community but kicked off a tradition that’s grown into a print culture highlight.
What Are Monster Blocks?
Forget tiny engravings—Monster Blocks are all about scale, collaboration, and spectacle. These woodblocks measure up to a meter square (or even larger) and are carved by artists or groups of community members. Each design tells a story, drawing from local history, shared experiences, or personal narratives.
Printing Monster Blocks is as much a performance as it is an art form. Using concrete rollers (think asphalt flatteners) or hand burnishing, the carved and inked woodblocks are pressed onto paper or fabric. The result? Prints as bold and unapologetic as the communities that create them. Events like NERAM’s Wayzgoose festival bring these prints to life, transforming art into a shared celebration of creativity and connection.
Nothing Without Community
In 2023, Clint Harvey and the Black Gully Printmakers unveiled the Monster Block Nothing Without Community—a modern reimagining of an F.T. Wimble stereo block that once read Nothing Without Industry. By changing the text to highlight the value of community over commerce, the print carried a message that resonated deeply.
At the heart of this project was Dzintra Menesis, who became the driving force behind uniting local printmakers to carve this Monster Block. Under her leadership, the team worked for months to bring the design to life, blending artistry with teamwork in a way that embodied the message of the print.
But the collaboration didn’t stop there. Harvey and Menesis have since joined forces under the banner of Movable Type Studio, a mobile printmaking platform housed in a converted 40-foot shipping container. With recent funding approval, the duo is now bringing Monster Blocks to Central Queensland, rolling out community activations that promise to spread the joy of large-format relief printing far and wide.
The Big Impact of Big Blocks
Monster Blocks aren’t just about art—they’re about creating connections. Over the years, these massive prints have transformed events like NERAM’s Wayzgoose and the Black Gully Festival into vibrant hubs of creativity. Participants of all ages and skill levels come together to carve, print, and celebrate the shared experience of making something bigger than themselves.
From students and emerging artists to seasoned creatives, everyone learns something from the Monster Block process. These events offer hands-on education, bridging the gap between traditional techniques and contemporary design. It’s about preserving the rich history of printmaking while pushing its boundaries in new and exciting ways.
The Legacy of Monster Blocks
The cultural significance of Monster Blocks extends well beyond Armidale. They’ve become a symbol of how art can unite and inspire, celebrating heritage while embracing innovation.
As Clint Harvey and Dzintra Menesis gear up to bring the Monster Block experience to Central Queensland, the future looks bright for this bold art form. Their upcoming projects aim to involve even more communities, empowering them to tell their stories through collaborative carving and printing.
Join the Monster Block Movement
Ready to experience the power of Monster Blocks? Visit the New England Regional Art Museum, catch an event, or roll up your sleeves and carve your own piece of history. Whether in Armidale, Central Queensland, or beyond, these large format woodblocks are proof that art can be massive—in scale, impact, and the connections it creates.
Because when it comes to Monster Blocks, the bigger the print, the bigger the story
