RECENT WORK

Over the past year, Brenda Hartill's prints have explored the very nature of the etching process as a metaphor for the forms of the natural world. The use of nitric acid with the zinc plates on which she produces her images took a new direction in the "Meltdown and "Silver Meltdown" series when her accidental use of pure acid on carefully prepared plates led to an escape and subsequent capture of the wild forms of violent chemical reaction. The introduction of silver leaf enhanced the mineral aspects of these forms and led on to her next series entitled "Alchemy".

"Alchemy" is inspired by the ancient search for the pot at the end of the rainbow, for the philosopher's stone and the dream of man to create gold from the dust of the earth. This theme led to the use of pure gold leaf and the discovery of a wonderful range of different golden colours with which to enrich her works. The image of the crucible was also important as a symbol of the seat of creation and the sun / moon as the ultimate source of all life.

After an awe-inspiring visit to India in early 2000 the "Gold Metamorphoses","Silver Metamorphosis","Great Gold Metamorphosis"and "Great Silver Metamorphosis" series has developed this theme, particularly concentrating on man's taming and transformation of the landscape and animal world for his own ends. Copper, gold and silver are still used to enrich the works as a symbol of wealth and power, and the bombardment of images, of life lived on the streets, of animals and the sheer vitality of India has led to a fusion of complex forms.

All limited edition prints are printed in the artist's own studios, either in London or Spain, and are signed and numbered by the artist..

In parallel to the exploration of the etching media, and in a search for a more direct way of making images, Brenda has been developing her own, unconventional approach to watercolour. She is showing a collection of richly coloured abstract paintings and collages which use a similarly free approach to that of her prints. By cutting, tearing and collaging she has built up a collection of vibrant, abstract images. She has also developed a series of mixed media images, emphasizing the 3 dimensions, creating "Floating Landscapes".

Click on image to view enlargment (not all available)

"MELTDOWN" and "SILVER MELTDOWN" 1999

Two versions of a series of 10 abstract landform based images, printed on 600gram hand made French "de Chene" paper. Collaged etched zinc plates mounted on a base plate, and surrounded with carborunum to provide an intense deep coloured background "space".

"MELTDOWN" Shimmering colourful images floating in an intense glowing ultramarine blue/deep green space.
Edition of 100

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ALCHEMY 2000

A series of 10 images, based on earth, land, crucible, and extra terrestrial forms printed on 600gram hand made French "de Chene" paper. Collaged etched zinc plates mounted on a base plate, and surrounded with carborunum to provide an intense deep coloured background "space". The prints are enriched by the application of pure gold and copper leaf, and each print is in an edition of 100

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"SILVER METAMORPHOSIS" AND "GOLD METAMORPHOSIS"
A series of ten images in two versions, The images are based on the sights, sounds, smells, art, textiles, and chaos of India. Printed on 600gram hand made French "de Chene" paper. Collaged etched zinc plates mounted on a base plate, and surrounded with carborunum to provide an intense deep coloured background "space".2000

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