Sterke man 1937 - 1969

Yo Sugano made this small print, "Sterke man", using etching, a printmaking process that dates back centuries. The image is achieved by covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratching an image into that coating. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are etched into the surface. Ink is then applied and the plate is pressed against paper, creating a mirror image of the original design. Sugano’s choice of etching lends a tactile quality to the figure, emphasizing the muscular form of the subject. Each line carries the weight of its making. The subtle gradations of tone, achieved through varying the depth and density of the etched lines, give the figure a sense of volume and presence, almost sculptural in its effect. The image looks like a fragmented man, and the process of etching mimics this aesthetic: the image is built line by line, each mark a testament to the labor and time involved. Appreciating "Sterke man" means considering the dialogue between the artist's hand, the inherent qualities of the etching process, and the wider cultural narratives around labor and physicality.