Expansion 1969 - 1970

This is 'Expansion' by Stanley William Hayter, a print made sometime in the 20th century. It’s a sunny explosion of yellow and orange, a real masterclass in mark making. It’s all about the process, you can practically feel Hayter’s hand moving across the plate, etching, layering, coaxing these vibrant hues into existence. What I find fascinating is the texture. It feels almost palpable, like you could run your fingers across the surface and feel the grooves and ridges left by the tools. The orange forms, like shards, are radiating out, disrupting the uniform yellow. It reminds me of solar flares. Hayter’s work often explored these kinds of dynamic, energetic forms. It makes me think of other printmakers, like Dox Thrash, who were also pushing the boundaries of the medium. For me, 'Expansion' is a testament to the boundless potential of art to capture movement, energy, and the sheer joy of experimentation. There's no single right answer, just endless possibilities.