LIMITED EDITIONS OF ARCHIVAL HAND PRINTS USING TRADITIONAL INTAGLIO TECHNIQUE
Intaglio, one of the oldest and most revered printmaking methods, involves engraving or etching designs into a plate, typically made of copper or zinc. Ink is meticulously applied to the recessed lines, and the plate is then pressed onto dampened paper under immense pressure, transferring the intricate design with unparalleled precision and depth. This labor-intensive process produces prints with rich textures, fine details, and a tactile quality that is impossible to achieve through modern digital methods.
*Verity* is a celebration of this artisanal craft, a series of limited-edition prints that not only honor the legacy of intaglio but also breathe new life into it, marrying historical technique with contemporary artistry.
My graphic works merge the timeless art of traditional printmaking with contemporary artistic themes, demonstrating the enduring relevance of artisanal craftsmanship in modern art. Collaborating with Grafická Dílna DÅ™ímal, a highly respected printmaking studio, I explore the possibilities of intaglio to create works that are as tactile as they are visually captivating.
Each piece is meticulously crafted using the intaglio technique—a process involving intricate engraving or etching to create depth, texture, and precision. This demanding method is brought to life through my partnership with the skilled artisans at Grafická Dílna DÅ™ímal, resulting in prints that celebrate the unique qualities of this historic medium.
The first limited edition, titled *Verity*, comprises 25 individually signed and numbered prints, each reflecting my exploration of themes such as the present moment, flow, and the delicate balance between spontaneity and structure. These prints are not simple reproductions; they are standalone works that honor and reinterpret the legacy of intaglio printmaking. Future editions are already planned, allowing this creative dialogue to grow and offering collectors the chance to engage with the evolution of my practice.
Through this series, I continue a tradition where printmaking serves as both a technical challenge and a fertile ground for artistic experimentation. Intaglio, renowned for its ability to render fine details and textures, becomes in my hands a tool for expanding the narrative depth of my work, bridging historical technique with modern expression.
My graphic works hold a central place in my artistic practice, blending the formal language of calligraphy with contemporary abstraction. They serve as a bridge between the historical traditions of graphic art and modern explorations of gesture, materiality, and the evolving role of writing in visual culture.
Calligraphy is a conceptual cornerstone of my graphics. By drawing on its rhythm, flow, and structural logic, I use the visual qualities of written language as a foundation for abstract compositions. This approach aligns with movements like Informel and Abstract Expressionism, which prioritize gesture and spontaneity as both aesthetic and conceptual drivers.
At the heart of these works is the intaglio process, a historical printmaking technique that I use to create finely detailed and texturally rich pieces. Collaborating with Grafická Dílna DÅ™ímal, a renowned printmaking studio in Prague, I embrace the precision and craftsmanship required by this method, allowing it to inform and elevate the final result.
The interplay between writing and visual art has long fascinated me, reflecting a lineage from the gestural calligraphy of East Asian ink painting to the abstract explorations of Cy Twombly. My works engage with this tradition, exploring the tension between the legibility of written forms and their transformation into pure abstraction. This process deconstructs and redefines the boundaries between text and image, pushing them into new realms of meaning.
While graphic art has historically been associated with reproduction and dissemination, my approach treats each print as an autonomous work of art. Through carefully crafted limited editions, I emphasize the tactile and material aspects of the printmaking process, elevating the medium in an era dominated by digital reproducibility.
By integrating the timeless elegance of calligraphy with the abstract language of contemporary art, my graphic works invite reflection on the creative process itself. They stand as a testament to the enduring power of historical techniques in addressing modern artistic challenges, offering a dialogue between tradition and innovation that continues to shape the field of graphic art.