Heard in silence... the countenance of resentment. c. 20th century

Editor: This print, "Heard in silence... the countenance of resentment," by Donald J. Handel, features a central face surrounded by smaller vignettes. I’m struck by the contrast between the rough texture and the intricate details. What do you make of the materials and process here? Curator: The etching process is crucial. The labor-intensive process of acid-etching the plate, the physical act of mark-making, and the resulting print, all become central to understanding the artist's intent. How do the materials contribute to the artwork's message? Editor: I suppose the roughness suggests a sort of raw, unfiltered emotion, maybe tying into the "resentment" in the title? Curator: Precisely. Consider the availability and cost of materials at the time. Was Handel intentionally using affordable or accessible means to create art that speaks to a specific social context? Editor: That makes me consider the printmaking process as a tool for wider distribution, maybe aiming to share this "resentment" with a larger audience. Curator: Exactly! And the "silence" in the title? Could that point to a commentary on suppressed voices, made accessible through the multiplied image of print? Editor: I never thought about the materials connecting to social context like that. Thanks!