23 March 2009

I Ching Abe Final

IChingAbeFinal

I CHING ABE - Union

Japanese woodblock (moku hanga)
Paper size: 16" x 12" (40.6 x 30.5 cm)
Image size: 9" x 8" (22.9 x 20.3 cm)
3 shina plywood blocks
3 hand-rubbed impressions
Paper: Rives Heavyweight
Edition: 34

The horizontal stripes superimposed on Lincoln are in the shape of I Ching hexagram #8 which signifies Union -- a central figure around whom other people can unite, a figure who can bridge gaps.

9 comments:

Daniel L. Dew said...

I really like this print! The color choices are awesome. Was it a reduction or multi color block?

Anonymous said...

Annie,
beautiful print. Good compositional work fitting the hexagram on Abe -- a little reminiscent of the old Stars and Stripes, no?

Lana Lambert said...

Wow, Annie! Great concept! I liked the Lincoln image but I wasn't sure how you were going to fit the I-ching part of it in. I love how my eyes think it's also an american flag reference. Rich color too! What source did you use for your colors?

d. moll, l.ac. said...

He looks great, and an edition of 35! Very clever composition.

Sharri said...

He is wonderful and the I-Ching makes the print. The flag reference, I ching, and blue portrait make a powerful statement. Good job!

Katka said...

Beautifully thought-out as always; a powerful and appropriate hexagram. Great image and great work!

Anonymous said...

Excellent in every way, Annie.

Annie B said...

- Daniel, thank you. This was multi-color block. I decided to go that way because Lincoln always had a sort of disheveled look so I wanted some wildness and overlapping cuts in the hair and beard.
- Oscar, yes as soon as I heard the colors were red and blue I started thinking about Old Glory!
- Lana, the colors were chosen by the people who organized the exchange. They mailed me a printed swatch and I mixed up approximations from some Guerra Paint and Pigment colors.
- Diana, the exchange needs 20 prints, so I did an additional 15 for myself. Way past my edition size tolerance point, but since it was only 3 impressions I could handle it :)
- Thanks Sharri, Katka, Bette!

Kim Rosen said...

I love this print Annie! Bold, graphic and such a great concept.