#25: El Volcán (The Volcano) 2008

Marina Pallares made this woodcut print, "El Volcán", using stark black ink on what I imagine must have been a small block. The process of carving away at the wood and the pressure of the printing press gives the image an immediate and raw feel. Check out the texture. It's fascinating how Pallares uses the linework to create depth and movement. The diagonal strokes across the volcano make it seem like it's erupting not just lava, but also pure energy. Then there are the marks above the volcano, like rain, suggesting the ominous nature of what's about to happen. It reminds me of the work of Francisco Goya, whose etchings also used stark contrasts and dramatic compositions to capture moments of intense emotion and social upheaval. Both artists seem to embrace ambiguity and multiple interpretations. I love the feeling of the exchange of ideas across time.