Balancing on a Thread is a study of the work of Pat Martin Bates, one of the most accomplished and acclaimed printmakers in Canada. Through her use of radical, innovative techniques she has literally transformed the printmaking medium. Although widely recognized and praised within Canada, as evinced by such awards and honours as her RCA and FRSC designations, her Queen’s Jubilee Medal, an honorary degree, and exhibitions throughout the country, in many ways Bates has been even more deeply appreciated overseas. She has exhibited throughout the world over many decades, and has been honoured with awards ranging from the Global Graphics Award in Holland (she is the only Canadian to achieve this honour) to the Gold Medal at the International Biennale of Prints, Norway and the Critics’ Choice Award at the Print Biennial in Ljubljana, Slovenia (former Yugoslavia). She is known in England as Lady Print, in Japan as Ambassador Extraordinaire, and in Yugoslavia, The Angel from Heaven. She is esteemed universally as the doyenne and spirit of Canadian printmaking.

Patricia Bovey FRSA, FCMA is former director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery (1999-2004) and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1980-1999) and Adjunct Professor of Art History at the University of Winnipeg. She writes and lectures widely on Western Canadian art, and is the author of many catalogues and monographs on Canadian art. Patricia Bovey was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2016.

Patricia Bovey's profile page

• Winner, BPAA Book Illustration of the Year Award