We are pleased to bring you a translation of the original post from SimWorks USA.
We at SimWorks are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by talented artists, designers, makers, writers, and photographers. We are drawn to them by shared values and charms, and as a result, we have been able to create and share iconic, relatable, and highly valuable works. Nicholas Haig-Arack entered the SimWorks orbit years ago through his relationship with Jeremy SyCip and his ties to Napa and Sonoma. That relationship evolved over the years, and for the past several years, we have been lucky enough to have Nick work on some of SimWorks’ most favorite and widely recognized graphics, soft goods, and merchandise.
Today, we have some very exciting news.
From Nick:
“The Human Mushroom and Earth Gazer designs have traveled the world, adorned many beautiful bicycles, and graced the shelves of the best bike shops. It brings me great satisfaction to see my artwork displayed in these places.
I love making art that is accessible to the public, so I have always dreamed of making posters.
When SimWorks asked if I wanted to make posters, I said ‘yes’ immediately. I wanted to make the highest quality posters on sturdy, thick paper. I want them to be posters worthy of being framed and hung in your home. (Though, of course, you’re welcome to pin them to your garage wall or display them proudly on the pegboard of your local bike shop.)”
And I was certain that my friend Conor was the perfect person to work with to make this project a success. He is the owner of Forthrite Printing.
I’ve known Conor Ottenweiller since the late 90s, when we went to high school in the same suburban town. Our fathers were colleagues, and we became friends because we were both interested in art. Conor moved to the East Bay to attend the California College of Arts and Crafts, where he studied printmaking. For a while, he was part of a cool art collective in West Oakland called “Abco,” where he honed his screen-printing skills and hosted punk shows in legendary warehouses. After graduating from CCAC, he started his own print shop, “Forthrite Printing,” in the back of a historic North Oakland storefront.
In the 15 years since opening Forthrite, we have stayed in touch as our lives changed and expanded. Forthrite handles “regular” print shop work like band t-shirts, but they specialize in hand-pulled screen-printed posters. In an increasingly automated industry, Forthrite is a shop that still upholds the good old-fashioned method of making prints by hand, one by one. He is the best screen printer I know, and it has been a real pleasure working with Conor to produce these posters for SimWorks.
The quality of the craftsmanship in these prints will impress anyone who has ever pulled ink with a screen. Consider the precision and dedication required to burn screens for every single color (Human Mushroom uses 9 spot colors, and Earthgazer uses 10 spot colors). The paper is perfectly aligned to ensure that colors don't bleed and there are no white spaces between colors, and then the ink is pulled through the screen by hand—a process repeated 200 times (100 for each design). Each of these completed posters is the result of an American artisan achieving the best of his work.
All of these posters are hand-signed and numbered, and each design is limited to 100 pieces. They are of archival quality and made to last for generations.
The artwork I produce is not merely “my” work, but part of a dialogue and cycle that continues long after I have finished drawing.
I am very grateful to be able to work with my friends at Forthrite and SimWorks to bring these posters to you.
I hope these posters serve as a way to enjoy both the illustration of the ideas themselves and the process of bringing them to fruition. I also hope they serve as inspiration for great dialogues and ideas that you will want to share.
Above all, I hope you enjoy these posters.
– Nick
Earth Gazer Screen Print by Nicholas Haig-Arack
Size: 12″ x 24″
Print: 10 Color
Silkscreen Printed by Forthrite Printing
Frame not included.
Price: ¥14,300 (tax included)
Human Mushroom Screen Print by Nicholas Haig-Arack
Approx: 18″ x 18″
Print: 9 Color
Silkscreen Printed by Forthrite Printing
Frame not included.
Price: ¥14,300 (tax included)
SimWorks Human Mushroom Pocket T
Cotton 100%
6.1oz Mid-weight fabric
Unisex
Garment Dyed
Printed in the USA
Price: ¥5,280 (tax included)
SIMWORKS Human Mushroom Bottle / 22oz
Capacity: 22oz (624ml)
Base: Specialized “Purist MoFlo™” BPA Free Bottle
*Sold individually; due to being an imported product, there may be slight scratches.
Price: ¥2,640 (tax included)
