To be exhibited at the Heseltine Gallery, Truro, four copper plate etching prints are for sale as part of the gallery's 'Kober' exhibition, 1st October - 10th December.
One of the choices a printmaker first takes when creating a new piece is that of technique. My preferred (and usual) method of drypoint monoprint was not appropriate for this open edition series. The thin material of drypoint didn’t feel robust enough to convey the strong blocks of colour in mind. That, coupled with the depth and gentle burnishing, is something only a metal plate can truly convey whilst keeping the embossing indicative of a hand-pulled print.
Using the traditional technique of copperplate etching with the soft warm tones of the metal is almost tactile and makes for a beautiful printing plate. When pulling an image of curved lines and varying tones it feels as if a connection is being made with the artisans of the past.
It was for this reason the plates used for these prints were etched at home. To have a finished piece made completely by hand from start to finish without the use of electricity is hugely satisfying.
In creating these four prints, it was my intention to use a contemporary language, using a warmth and beauty evocative of the plate from which they were pulled. Coppery pinks and honeyed yellows contained in a square of such small dimensions affords them a power which could well be lost in a larger image. Using oil-based relief printing inks imbibes velvety depth with all it’s nuanced imperfections and notes; there is almost a character in each piece echoing the frailties and strength of the human condition.
