Three Birds 1952

Milton Avery created this woodcut, Three Birds, sometime in the early 1960s. The grainy texture and stark contrast are inherent qualities of the woodcut technique. To make this print, Avery likely used knives and gouges to carve his design into a block of wood, leaving the image standing in relief. After inking the block, he pressed paper against its surface, transferring the image. Note the subtle imperfections, the uneven ink distribution and the visible wood grain. These aren't flaws, but rather evidence of the hand-made process. While the image is simple, even playful, this technique involves considerable physical labor and skill, connecting Avery to a long history of printmaking as a means of mass communication and artistic expression. Avery’s choice of this medium emphasizes the importance of materiality and process, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.