Last Saturday, on May 20th, my town celebrated its 125th Anniversary Art Show, and the turnout was incredible!
The event showcased an array of stunning artwork by local artists, attracting a large crowd of art enthusiasts. It was truly heartening to witness such overwhelming support at an art opening.
I proudly contributed two pieces from my latest Transformations series, specifically my "printer's proofs," to this remarkable exhibition. In the following paragraphs, you'll find the statement I prepared for this weekend's local show...
In the collage portrait series, “Transformations,” my goal was to evoke a sense of hidden secrets beneath the surface. While deeply personal in nature, I hope these portraits inspire introspection, speculation, and a connection to the enigmatic past.
During the creative process for this exhibition, I experimented with two distinct techniques to explore the essence of antique portraiture. The first piece, titled “Octopus,” was crafted on fine art glass, reminiscent of the classic glass plate photography found in antiquity. (Subsequently, the entire series of sixteen portraits was produced using this method and is on display in Seattle, WA.)
In the case of “Collar,” I employed a traditional etching process combined with photogravure. The piece was inked with sepia inks and printed by master printer, Kathy Caraccio, on an intaglio press. (Keep an eye out for an exciting spin-off series this summer that will exclusively feature this exquisite technique!)
“Collar” from the Transformations series. Photogravure etching, Copyright Kendra Shedenhelm 2023.
“Octopus from the Transformations series. Collage on glass, Copyright Kendra Shedenhelm 2023.