Artist Statement
This series of twelve hand-pulled copper-plate photogravures documents small, dried animal remains, presenting them as fossil-like impressions through the intricate intaglio technique of photogravure. By capturing the fine details of each creature’s final moment of motion, the artist transforms these delicate specimens into profound visual narratives. Each image is meticulously printed on heavy rag paper and mounted directly on the wall using specimen pins through metal grommets.
The allure of these small creatures lies in their paradoxical sense of animation. Despite being mummified, they appear active, gesturing, and locomotive—a contradiction that breathes life into their static forms. The greatly enlarged scale invites viewers to explore microscopic details typically overlooked, revealing the intricate nuances of these tiny beings. Each print is accompanied by a script title that either references the implied motion or emphasizes the physical essence of the subject.
The individual pieces bear evocative titles that capture their essence: aerial toad, arrested flight, flat chick, frog sprint, frog tuck, mouse aria, robin arabesque, sandpiper, shrew, silent warbler, squawking bird, and wool duckie. These titles not only describe but also poeticize the frozen moments of these small creatures, transforming scientific documentation into a deeply artistic experience.