Ocean Surface Woodcut 1992
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? Vija Celmins

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Ocean Surface Woodcut 1992 1992
  • Artist Rooms
Celmins's intense monochromatic images, based on photographs, focus on small and individual marks in the context of vastness. The images seem fragile because they record a specific human glimpse through a telescope or camera which is ephemeral and frozen in time. Celmins's serial exploration of her subjects, including the night sky, allows the artist to exploit the distinct characteristics of the variety of media she uses. The photograph used as the source material for this woodcut was taken at Venice Beach, Los Angeles in about 1969. Celmins used a very small amount of ink on the woodblock, leaving a thin skin printed on the paper.

Glossary Open

Medium/ media

The material from which an artwork is made, e.g. oil paint, bronze, paper. 'Medium' is also used for the liquid element of paint in which a colouring agent is carried. 'Mixed media' is used when an artist combines several different materials in an artwork.

Monochrome

An image made with a single colour.

Motif

A distinctive element in a work of art or design.

Medium/ media, Monochrome, Motif

Details

  • Acc. No. AR00484
  • Medium Woodcut on paper
  • Size 22.40 x 30.40 cm (paper 49.20 x 39.10 cm) (framed: 53.00 x 43.00 x 3.70 cm)
  • Credit ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008

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