At the heart of artistic innovation is the endeavor to create something that did not exist previously. Artists are often trailblazers. They experiment, push boundaries, and constantly explore and expand upon what is believed possible. Sometimes innovation emerges quietly, through repetition and refinement. Other times, it arrives suddenly, through spontaneous chance or a radical departure. Etching is an artistic medium and technique whose history and practice exemplifies the drive toward and for innovation.
In addition to a steely determination to invent and improve, the impulse of innovation always holds discipline, study or process central to its core. Earnest curiosity and openness to learning through experimentation push artists to new places of discovery and unique expression. This exhibition invites you to consider how artists use etching to tell stories, challenge norms, and forge new paths.
Etching is a centuries-old printmaking technique that continues to serve as a powerful medium for storytelling and artistic exploration. From its origins in Northern Europe in the late 15th century, to its dynamic use by contemporary artists today, etching has continuously transformed. Each technical, conceptual, or expressive advancement marks a moment of invention shaped by artists. These shifts reflect deep engagement with tradition as artists learn from past practitioners, and a bold leap toward fresh direction as they create anew.
The artists featured here use etching and related processes to depict subjects, but also to summon thoughts and emotions. The choice of medium is deliberate, used intentionally as a means of storytelling. As you look at these images, ponder the artist at work. Imagine thoughts flowing from the mind to the hands and etching tools. By experiencing these artworks, we may forge a connection to the innovative spirit embedded within.
Click here to see a selection of artworks from this exhibition
© 2016 Mary Judge