Earlier this year I posted some experimental collagraph plates (here and here) in anticipation of creating a larger finished work.

In 2021 I worked on a print called ‘Hidden Vessels’, shown left, which never made it to this site as I wanted to improve the concept and achieve better imagery. The idea was there but the execution needed some work.

The small vessels were created from a very thin sheet of cork, applied over collaged teabags. A nice idea but the profile of the cork was too high in regard to other components and there were inking issues, although other areas have come out well. I especially like the yellow ochre section at the bottom.

My new project is aimed at continuing this theme, with improvements, and learned outcomes from the other experimentation I mentioned in my first paragraph.

I’ve called this piece ‘Stratification’ referencing the geological meaning: formation of strata, deposition or occurrence in strata. My piece represents layers of sediment, rock, debris and flora & fauna, compressed over millennia.

Britannica tells us that geology was revolutionized in the early 19th century with the discovery and demonstration of the principles of uniformitarian stratigraphy, which determines the age of fossil remains by the stratum they occupy below the earth. The site includes references to early stone tools and artifacts unearthed and now dated

I cut ‘pockets’ within the strata layers of my collagraph plate ready to insert my own hidden vessels.

The shellacked layers, on mountboard, include porridge oats, dried plant fronds, handmade paper, carborundum over glue, scrim, eggshell, corrugated cardboard, webbing spray, masking tape, molding paste, miniature railway ballast, clear tar gel. The surface has also been scraped and cut in places.

Parts of the plate were cut away before sealing. I then created my vessels.

And here it is printed, and framed ready for exhibiting.

Resources:
http://www.britannica.com/science/archaeology/First-steps-to-archaeology