Limelight 1998

Gillian Ayres created 'Limelight' with lithographic ink on paper. The broad swathes of saturated colors and bold gestures are made possible by the lithographic process, an inherently collaborative technique that bridges the gap between the artist’s hand and industrial production. The thick, tactile quality of the ink invites a haptic response, as though you could reach out and feel the raised texture of each mark. The flatness of the print medium contrasts with the illusion of depth created by the overlapping forms and vibrant hues. This was achieved using stone or metal plates to transfer the artist’s marks onto paper, yielding a multiple original. By embracing the inherent qualities of lithography, Ayres disrupts traditional notions of artistic authorship. The print becomes a testament to the harmonious fusion of artistic vision and the means of its production. It blurs the boundaries between painting and printmaking, craft and fine art.