Bridget Riley, Silvered 2, 1981
From the grand bronzes of Henry Moore nestled in the sweeping Yorkshire hills, to Banksy's anarchic stencils which find their homes in cities throughout the country, Britain is homeland to some of the most important artists of Modern and Contemporary Art, and their ever-varied works. This week, in celebration of the upcoming coronation of King Charles, we wanted to share a selection of works from our collection by some of Britain's most exciting artists.
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Bridget Riley, Silvered 2, 1981
This is a wonderful example of the 'Egyptian Palette' that came to define Riley's work after a visit to the country in 1979-80. Referencing ancient tomb paintings and the local landscape, it represented a bolder approach to colour than she had previously explored and was a stepping-stone to the increasingly exuberant palette that would define her later work. Rather than copying exactly the colours she had encountered in Egypt, she worked from memory, basing the work upon sensation and feeling. By embracing the simplicity of the vertical stripe, Riley allowed the work to become a purely visual experience.
A particularly joyful feature of this work is its inscription at the bottom left, which details the colours used by the artist and how many times they appear in the work: 21 reds, 21 blues, 24 turquoises, 24 yellows, 9 blacks, 8 whites! This rather unusual addition offers a fantastic insight into the artist's masterful process.
Banksy, Choose Your Weapon - Bright Pink, 2010
This piece occupies a special place within Banksy's print oeuvre, as it was one of the last editions made available for purchase to the general public. Featuring an homage to the work of Keith Haring, it combines two of the most influential figures in the world of graffiti art into a single iconic work. The highly graphic quality of Haring's barking dog motif contrasts strikingly with Banksy's more detailed stencil technique. In this piece the aggressive fighting dog, commonly associated with the world of street gangs, is here given a uniquely pacifist slant.
Tracey Emin, Major Emin Bond, 1995
Printmaking is at the core of Emin’s identity as an artist. This intimate, confessional etching demonstrates beautifully her fascination with the nature of our relationship to ourselves and other people. The raw honesty of her imagery and her unmistakable draughtsmanship combine to give the work an exceptional poignancy.
This intriguing, unique work was likely made by Emin for an early collector, with each sheet inscribed with the artist's love and thanks for their support. Both a stunning example of Emin's work on paper amidst the boom of the YBAs, and a touching personal insight into the earlier stages of the artist's career - this makes the perfect addition to any Emin collection.
David Hockney, Untitled 778, 2010
Throughout his career, David Hockney has been drawn to experimentation. The drawing, painting or printing medium has never been the answer, but rather the clue - a variety of media seeming to suggest themselves to him and assist the direction in which his output should turn next. Hockney's natural tendency is to accept these suggestions and convey not only his subject matter but also how art evolves with the times - The artist breaks the boundaries of what mediums the fine art world traditionally finds acceptable.
This piece - as well as being one of Hockney's most sought-after iPad drawings - is in superb condition and sure to go on to be a fabulous investment. We strongly recommend his print work to our clients for their investment potential, and for the sheer joy they bring to any wall. Prices have always been strong for his prints, but they are now growing at an accelerated pace and should be considered in any portfolio.
Barbara Hepworth, Desert Forms, 1971
While known primarily as a sculptor, Hepworth made a number of important prints later in her career. This piece forms part of the Aegean Suite of lithographs, a series created in 1970-1, inspired by the artist's travels in Greece and the landscapes she encountered there. They were begun in St Ives and completed at the famous Curwen Studio in London. Hepworth used the process of printing to work on ideas which would eventually translate into sculpture, creating an abstract sense of space, form and texture through the use of transparent smooth layers and bold mark-making.
Peter Blake, Small Union Flag, 2016
Flags have featured regularly in Blake’s work since the 1960s. His Union Flag motif continues this love affair with flags and the United Kingdom.
“I am very patriotic and I love the Union Flag; the sense of history it gives, the union between four great countries that it represents. Over the years I have used printmaking to explore and experiment with the flag in various ways; making large-scale digital prints from Union Flag badges (sewn or enamel) or illustrations that I have collected. The new works are not based on ‘found’ images of the flag. I wanted to use the variety of hand-applied finishes available when you make a silkscreen to play with the colours and textures of this simple geometric pattern that is so familiar to us.” - Peter Blake
The Connor Brothers, Hope, 2022
From one of The Connor Brothers' most recent portfolios, titled Modern Philosophy, comes this fantastic work - Not Drunk Just Tipsy. Full of the artist duo's signature cheeky sense of humour, this piece is bold, yet highly adaptable to many spaces. For those looking to inject a bit of fun into their everyday - this work is a fantastic option. Offering a great impact at a very approachable price point, this would make both a fantastic gift or a humorous conversation piece.
See all works by The Connor Brothers
Any questions? We are happy to help. Call: 0117 279 6402 or send us a message now.
