Lepcha Boy 

G. Douglas created this print of a "Lepcha Boy" employing the etching process. Etching involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, to create a design. The plate is covered with a waxy, acid-resistant coating, then the artist scratches the design into the coating, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed metal is eaten away, creating incised lines. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look at the way that Douglas uses this method to capture the textures and patterns of the boy's clothing, from the woven stripes of his coat, to the tassels hanging around his shoulders. The care taken to depict the Lepcha boy's traditional garments underscores the value of skilled craftsmanship, and its intersection with cultural identity. Ultimately, by emphasizing the artistry inherent in both the printmaking and the boy's attire, Douglas prompts us to consider the social and cultural significance embedded within material objects.