Nest 1985

Audrey Niffenegger created "Nest" using etching, and it’s such an intriguing print. The subtle gradations of tone, achieved through delicate cross-hatching, remind us that artmaking is a process of layering, of adding and subtracting. Look at the way the artist uses the etched line. There's a tension between precision and looseness, especially in the rendering of the nest itself. The sharp lines create texture, but the overall effect is quite soft, almost dreamlike. And that egg, perfectly placed, is so smooth. Is it a symbol of potential, or perhaps vulnerability? I can't help but think of Paula Rego's prints and drawings, in which the line conveys emotional intensity. The beauty of art is that it doesn't give easy answers. "Nest" is an invitation to contemplate the complexities of the human experience, and the magic of life and art.