Medium: Mezzotint
Dimensions: 7 x 8 3/4 inches (image)
Artist details: American, 1953
Date finished: 1982
Edition: of 75

Recommended by Nikki (Art Photographer / Marketing and Exhibitions Specialist):

Carol Wax is an expert mezzotint printmaker (a time-consuming process that uses extreme lights and darks to build up an image on a copperplate). In this scene fire, twine, and darkness (with time as a witness) play an important role in Wax’s narrative. To feed the light, the twine must burn, but there is a finite amount of the consumable resource before the flame inevitably goes out and it becomes dark.

Medium: Mezzotint
Dimensions: 9 1/2 x 6 inches
Signature: Signed
Artist details: Japanese, 1954
Date finished: 1999
Edition: XVI/XXX

Recommended by Catherine (Collections Specialist):

"Mikio Watanabe is known for his elegant and evocative depictions of nude figures, and the mezzotint 'Sur la Branche' is a wonderful example. The subject emerges from a somber atmosphere of black & gray tones, bathed in a soft luminescence. She has positioned herself on the branch with perfect balance and intention, unbothered by the seemingly immeasurable height below, radiating peace and quiet agency. With her head turned away and her identity hidden from the viewer, she keeps this moment to herself, like a precious secret. To the viewer, it feels like a privilege to observe this serene celebration of her strength and grace."

Medium: Mezzotint
Dimensions: 6 x 3 3/4 inches
Signature: Signed
Artist details: Japanese, 1954
Date finished: 2016
Edition: of 90
Reference: 380

Recommended by Emma (Marketing & Communications Manager):
"Mikio Watanabe captures the soft warm glow of summer in this sweet image. Yet over the years in this region the end of summer has become a season of miserable heat and hazy poor air quality. This droopy sunflower perfectly captures how I feel as we settle in to August and the smoke rolls in. The glow is lovely, but I am exhausted and dreaming of cloudy skies and rain."