Artwork description:

This image explores the history associated with the first Black Women of Science using images gathered from a variety of archives. The project is an evolving project that I began from 2017/18 and is a continuation of work I generally explore looking at those who become part of a lost generation or those generally not served by the art world to highlight the human condition.

This print consists of several female figures layered on top of one another through the drawing process, creating a portrait of many where each of the figures either obscure, interact or impinge. This plays with the interconnectedness of people in our lives and the way in which each person, known and unknown, can influence the lives of society knowingly or unknowingly.

This image was created through a process known as Aluminium Lithography, developed from the Lithographic process of oil and water resist. These prints are very limited and each are generally unique, being that they are not like stone lithography and off-set printing methods where a few can be pulled.

Usually this process allows me to create an Artist Proof for my archive and one or two main prints for exhibition/ sale before the aluminium foil is destroyed, ensuring a very limited amount of these prints in circulation. Sometimes this printing method will allow a couple versions to be pulled from the plate, but each print can change through the gradual degradation of the aluminium surface, leading to a more aquatint form of printmaking.

Materials used:

Aluminium Foil, Chinagraph Pencil, Oil Based Printing Ink, 150gsm Paper.

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