Abandoned Mine at Blackhawk 

This print, Abandoned Mine at Blackhawk, was made by Philip Cheney using a painstaking technique: lithography. The visual impact of the work stems from the artist’s direct engagement with the medium. Cheney's labor-intensive method involved drawing on a stone or metal plate, treating it with chemicals, and then using it to make impressions on paper. The granular texture visible on the final print results from this process, giving the image a tactile quality. Look closely, and you can see the individual strokes that build up the image, each a testament to the time and care invested by the artist. The image is a shadow-filled interior, suggesting the exploitation of natural resources and physical labor. This print subtly elevates a 'humble' material and process. The final print is a testament to the potent combination of skilled hand work and industrial modes of production. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, highlighting the value of both.