Aftermath of War 1945

Philip Evergood made this print, Aftermath of War, using etching. What strikes me first is the way Evergood uses hatching to create areas of tone and shade. It’s like he’s building the image up through a layering of marks, a process of accumulation. The figures emerge from this network of lines, their faces etched with hardship. The texture of the print is palpable; you can almost feel the rough grain of the wood in the crates, the weight of the garments. Look at the way he renders the faces of the adults, the deep-set eyes and furrowed brows. It's a raw emotionality that gets under your skin. The way the children are huddled together, trying to eat… Evergood doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of life. I’m reminded of Kathe Kollwitz, another artist who used printmaking to convey social themes with empathy and unflinching honesty. Art making is like an ongoing conversation. It’s about seeing and feeling and responding.