Artworks

Stephen Lawlor RE Elected ARE 2016, RE 2023

Puritan

etching (spit bite aquatint & drypoint using 4 plates), edition of 75

image size 22 x 18cm

paper size 42 x 30cm

£160 unframed

This etching is one of an ongoing series of historical figures Lawlor has been exploring for the last several years. This one is the first from the fascinating period of the English Civil War which was largely driven by extremist religious views. These issues also existed in Holland and the rest of Europe and were an important part of the deeply held beliefs that went into the foundation of the United States and which are still a part of the national mentality there to this day.

All of the 4 plates used in the creation of this print were deeply bitten by painting ferric chloride directly on to the aquatinted plates to create a dense and richly varied tonal range. The remaining layers of ink from the lightest aquatinted parts to the very palest parts that hold light layers of ink known as 'plate tone' are crucial in formation of this spectral figure. The artist is essentially addressing history and historical portraiture in his quest to reach back in time to engage with the essence of their subjects.

Born Dublin 1958, Stephen lectured at Institute of Art, Design & Technology in Dublin in printmaking & drawing (1991-97) and was chairman of Graphic Studio Dublin, (2000-05). He worked in printmaking institutions in China, Sweden, Finland, USA & the UK. Stephen has shown his work extensively at prestigious exhibitions and print Biennales across the world, has been awarded numerous prizes for his work and his prints are held in many highly distinguished museum and corporate art collections. Stephen was a founder member of the International Academic Print Alliance (IAPA) at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), Beijing and was elected a member of Aosdána in 2018.