Nguyen Ly
Vortex, 2019
Collagraph & Serigraph, Ed. of 32
26”x20”

Artist Statement:
My goal for this edition was to create a texture-rich and multilayered experimental print that combined collagraphy with Serigraph. I chose collagraphy for its inherent textural quality and was intrigued by how it would interact next to the flatness of a screen print.

A collagraph is a print made from a cardboard plate with collage material glued on top. The angel in the center is the collagraph part of the print. The materials used to create the texture and patterns were threads, individual strands from peacock feathers, fabric, and plastic pieces. This plate was printed first with a traditional printing press.

The serigraph areas are the spaces surrounding the angel, printed in five layers in shades of metallic blue and red. A separate abstract ink wash drawing on acetate was made for each of the first four layers. I experimented by spraying alcohol and soapy water on the ink washes to create interesting effects. The fifth layer was a line drawing of an imagined cartographic map. These drawings were transferred onto screens and printed by Master Printer Dewey Tafoya.

It was a wonderful experience working with Dewey, assisting, and observing him through the entire screen-printing process. Seeing each color layer printed, building on top of the previous one was a delight. The final print was nothing I would’ve imagined, and that is the rewarding part of printmaking. There’s always a surprise in the end.