Heidi c. 1983

Patrick Nagel made this serigraph, titled "Heidi," using screen printing. The process involves creating a stencil on a fine mesh screen, then pushing ink through the open areas to create an image. The colors in "Heidi" are flat and bold, typical of the screen-printing process. The hard edges and simplified shapes give the piece a graphic, almost mass-produced feel. This reflects the broader culture of the 1980s, when Nagel was active, with its emphasis on consumerism and sleek, commercial aesthetics. Screen printing, while capable of producing fine art, has strong associations with commercial art and advertising, and requires skills in image preparation, color mixing, and printing techniques. It is a process that blurs the boundaries between art and design. By choosing this method, Nagel situates himself within a tradition that values accessibility and repetition, challenging traditional hierarchies within the art world.