'The City Between Worlds' Original Etching
Stunning and timeless etchings by Australian contemporary printmaker, Kate Piekutowski. These multi-layered and hand-painted etchings are inspired by my Polish heritage, travel, cultural diaspora and connections to place.
For those who don’t know, etching is a historic and traditional technique that uses a strong acid to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface. Evidence of the earliest engraved etchings are believed to date back to Germany, 1445. My etchings are made from either steel or copper and I use a bitumen hard ground to cover my plates which I then hand engrave. Each plate is then dipped into an acid bath and the acid bites away at my delicate lines. I then remove the hard ground layer and I am left with the engraving. Using a high-quality oil-based etching ink, I ink up my etching plate and use tarlatan (which is similar to a cheese cloth) to create soft, sweeping marks on my plate. The tarlatan creates plate tone and texture on my etchings. Once the plate is ready, I prepare my paper that has to be soaked in water beforehand. I dry the paper off and then put it through my etching press. Once printed, I let the layer dry.
After my etching has been printed, I often add an extra printed layer or add spray paint, acrylics, watercolours, gouache, gold leaf, black ink and gloss varnish. I call myself a contemporary printmaker as I have taken the traditional technique of etching and modernised it. I definitely break allot of printmaking rules in doing this, however I believe this process is what brings my artwork to life.
Why do I call my artworks ‘Unique or Varied State, Limited Edition?
Every editioned etching will be slightly different in plate tone, paper colour, mixed media and hand-painted elements. For example, the base colour of the etching could vary from black to sepia to burnt umber. I often mix different inks together to get the tone I am looking for. If I have an etching with a lady, her dress could change from gold to black to red. I explore and experiment with lots of different techniques to get the desired effect. It is important to emphasise that each etching is slightly unique in their own right.
Size: 45 x 60 cm
Materials
Etching on Hahnamuhle archival paper 300gsm warm white, Charbonnel etching ink, water colours, gouache, ink, gold leaf.
Edition
Each etching is a Unique State, Limited Edition. Every edition comes with a certificate of authenticity, date and signature.
Time Frame
All editions are made to order unless I have an edition in the studio ready-made. The time frame can vary however please allow 7-14 working days for me to prepare and make the etching. If the etching will take longer due to the complexity of painting or layering I will send you an email.
Postage
I offer FREE EXPRESS POSTAGE on all original etchings. All A5 or A4 sized etching comes with a white matte board, backed onto foam core and wrapped in tissue paper. Etchings A3 size or larger will be safely rolled with tissue paper and sent in a tube.
