Madhouse
The Asylum 2.0
The Asylum: a recap
The Asylum started as a collaborative publishing press focusing on woodcuts and etchings. Started by Master Printer Alex Giffen in 2020 after a big career in fine art print publishing, the asylum provided access to museum quality printmaking for emerging artists from all over the states. Alex hosted three all-inclusive residencies with artists of entirely different backgrounds and mediums. She also co-created a collaborative print project to raise over $10k for women’s reproductive rights, right after the overturning of Roe v wade. Alex self-funded all operations through the sale of her own work and various side jobs.
in 2024 after several devastating losses, Alex took some time off to move across the country, take care of family, reevaluate her career and goals and now, in 2026 its time to return to the madhouse.
Madhouse: 2026 rebrand
In January, The Asylum made some changes. From the inside, we still bleed printmaking and it’s still all about the litho ink and traditional techniques, but on the outside? It’s a whole new Madhouse. Working collaboratively is no longer the front runner, carving for margins and flat fibers is in the past. The Asylum is drafting patterns, constructing garments and catwalking the runway, bring traditional technique printmaking to a new audience.
The woodcuts are still hand carved and printed on the presses near and dear to the soul Of the Asylum, but The Asylum will now focus on printing bolts of pfd bull denim and other delicious fabrics and using these yards to make one-of-a-kind garments of all kinds. customs and commissions welcome.
printmaking does fashion
From insanely beautiful prints to insanely beautiful clothing, I’m drawing, carving, printing and making it all by hand.
for the love of print
—thanks for siticking with me, Alex