Studies c. 1972 - 1983

Editor: This is Barry Flanagan's "Studies," an undated etching. The quick, repetitive lines and the plate's rough edges suggest a focus on process. What can you tell me about the materiality here? Curator: The visible plate marks and varied line weights are crucial. This isn't about illusionism, but about revealing the labor. How does Flanagan's use of etching challenge the traditional idea of the artist's hand versus mechanical reproduction? Editor: So, it's less about the final image and more about showing how it's made? It makes me rethink what's considered 'finished.' Curator: Precisely. It's the means of production that Flanagan elevates, questioning the boundaries of art itself.