Magical Realm
Exhibition dates: October 20 - 27, 2022
Opening reception: Thursday, October 20th, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Those who dance above the clouds and under the sun, 18 x 12" Intaglio Etching, Aquatint on Stonehenge, 2022
Made the stars bright before the rocks shattered, 23 x 18" Photolithography, Intaglio Etching; Soft Ground and Hard Ground Technique, Ink, Magnesium Transfer on Warm Stonehenge, 2022
The tenderness of that who walked many moons, 18 x 12" Intaglio Etching, Aquatint on Stonehenge, 2022
Artist Statement
Turning the foxed pages of a book, there is a resemblance between the creative narratives displayed and that of the human world. Through my collection Magical Realm I ponder the the relationship between fantasy and reality, infusing my personal experience and sentiments into the fantastical prints. The act of creating these pieces through intaglio etching, ink work, and lithography sanctioned a space for meditation and contemplation. The dawning of these creatures were realized with an emotion and memory, thoughtfully etched into copper sheets, paper, or stone without a lucid prophecy.
With every carved line, I would watch as a creature slowly gained sentience, with both bittersweet familiarity and reassurance.
Fantasy is an accumulation of what we understand and feel, inheriting aspects from our physical observations and personal circumstances. It is a way to reinvent and reiterate aspects of the human condition, whether it be through anecdotes or even a hero’s journey; serving as a mirror of our personal lives and how we carve our paths into the world. An illustration can be a form of escapism from our daily tribulations, just as much an embodiment of internalization and healing. Characters are made with the intention of being familiar, and similarly creatures are made of things we understand to be true, just as Parmenides once argued, “Nothing comes from nothing.” In turn, the print is a facsimile to the moment in which it was made, each etched line mimicking laughter, and perhaps, something darker.
A special thank you to all of those who have supported my work and made me laugh throughout the years: to my mentor Robert Dunning, the Art and Art History faculty, fellow artists, family and friends. Thank you.