PETER STILWELL

– RECENT WORKS –
Including the Plate Series

ONLINE Wednesday 30th October
On View in the gallery until 23rd November 2024

Tom has suggested that I write a few words by way of introduction to this exhibition, which, in general terms, has the same underlying objectives as much of my previous work: to celebrate the beauty of the natural world, but also to face the more sombre prospect of its increasingly threatened existence in an environment dominated by mankind.

Regarding this particular group of pictures, I thought it would be most useful to concentrate on the central section (catalogue numbers 12-28), as this may appear the least straightforward. I refer to it as the ‘Plate Series’, as in ‘etching plate’.

            I have always loved old Natural History prints, especially the earlier ones from the great age of discovery. One can only imagine the thrilling moment experienced by those pioneering naturalists and artists confronted by a species new to science; yet this immediacy is somehow conveyed onto the printed page by means of the exaggerated features, simplified colours and often flat shapes, similar to linocuts or Japanese woodblock prints. The latter particularly suit my usual working method of trying, if possible, to avoid a sense of volume or perspective.

My favourite examples of this type of art are the plate ‘proofs’, which often have additional handwritten amendments, instructions to the printer, plate numbers etc., and these too are incorporated in the some of the pictures here. The individual numerals (Roman or otherwise) have no special significance and are mainly dictated by compositional needs. When joined up, their significance (if any) is deliberately intended to be subjective and open-ended. When followed by a capital F, for instance, for me the letter immediately suggests the French franc, and takes me back many years to the street stalls of Paris, where print vendors used to write their prices on the cellophane of each packet. But equally, the numbers may allude to art prices in general, or a list of endangered species, or even more fancifully, votes required in the Commons to pass a Conservation Bill that will have diametrically the opposite effect of its intention.

I hope that these somewhat abstruse remarks and musings will not deter viewers or visitors from enjoying the pictures themselves, and that all will find at least a few images that appeal.

The titles, as usual, are mainly a means of identifying individual pieces. All the work in the exhibition was completed in 2023, and is listed (1-32) in chronological order.

Peter Stilwell (October 2024)

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FRAMING

Half of these works are sold framed, half mounted.
The catalogue entry for each picture indicates which are sold framed. There are also further photographs of each work that can be viewed when you click on an item. For those works sold mounted, frames can be made for £120 – £175 (+vat), depending on size, and in time for Christmas.