Output details

'Untitled 19.04.08’ (Etching)

Brief Description

‘Untitled 19.04.08’ was selected from an open submission for the BIMPE V Biennial International Print Exhibition. The jury panel included Professor Alan Flint of Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada. The etching was shown at the Federation Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver and at the Dundarave Print Workshop, Granville Island, Vancouver.

Research Rationale

For some time Scull has produced two dimensional works that could be broadly typified as an exploration of issues relating to spatiality. ‘Untitled 19.04.08’ was informed, in part, by two exhibitions – one an Arts Council exhibition titled ‘Night Prints’ which explored and responded to the human association with nocturnal worlds and ‘Night: A Time Between’ (RWA Gallery, Bristol). The work of Samuel Palmer was fundamental to the project through his treatment of the pastoral twilight scenes in his etchings and how even dark tonal areas radiate light – the result of his drawing method. Scull’s work focussed specifically on the relationship of light and dark – a characteristic quality of etching – to explore spatial qualities. Scull wanted to use Palmer’s technique to suggest a very deep dark spatial quality but countered by solid black fixed planes thus creating a tension between flatness and at the same time in other sections deep space by employing varying tonality. This duality was a quality not seen in any other work.

Strategies Undertaken

The methodology adopted was of particular significance. The print could have been executed by quicker methods but Scull deliberately chose a slow, meticulous yet mentally undemanding method. The purpose behind this slowing down is to engender a mental space that allows the artists’ attention to wander as he works – to daydream. Scull’s methodology is based on Bachelard’s observation in ‘Poetics of Space’ that “The daydream transports the dreamer outside of the immediate world to a world that bears the mark of infinity”.