Etchings

Judy Orstav’s artistic work seeks reduction and simplicity of form, emphasizing the integrity of the materials and techniques used. This series began by chance. Having discarded an old etched plate she cut it into a rough T-shape. The first print from the plate led her immediately to a double reading of the image: as a simple geometric structure and as a suggestion of the form of a Japanese kimono. In the words of the Artist: Initially I was struck by the beauty of the meeting between the sharp edge of that printed shape, and the whiteness of the untouched paper. But what actually surprised me was how this shape continued to engage me, eliciting a continued need to respond – at times respecting it, at times teasing it, but always in dialogue with it.”
* Opening Sat. 16.6.07 at 12:00

The series began by chance. It documents an ongoing response to a shape – a rough T, which I cut out of an old etched copper plate. The first printing produced a strong geometric form “decorated” by the cut off (and therefore now abstract) image that had been there before. But it also suggested a garment, perhaps a Japanese kimono, with a hint of an absent body. It was this double reading that dictated the decisions regarding the “additions” to the plate. Every subsequent printing seemed to demand a different reaction in terms of forms, colours and printing techniques. This dialogue continued to engage me tempting me to keep on experimenting with different materials.

The larger shape came later. This time I deliberately cut the plate to resemble a kimono – using the area defined by its edges as a kind of canvas on which to arrange the different forms. I began to think more in terms of fabrics. The combination of the hard metal plate and the fragility of tissue paper or Chinese rice paper was enticing. By folding this thin paper, on which I sometimes painted in watercolour, I could achieve transparency, delicacy and texture.

These, as well as the other additions, were all run through the press on the inked plate.

The etchings were all produced at the Print Workshop in Jerusalem