Trickster 1979

John Hoyland created this print, Trickster, with lithographic ink on paper. The process of lithography allows for a direct translation of the artist's hand, retaining the qualities of the original mark making. The composition features rectangles in red, blue, orange, and black, dynamically arranged on a field of yellow. Hoyland, though celebrated as a painter, was also a very accomplished printmaker. The lithographic technique he employed here demands not just artistic vision, but also technical expertise. Each layer of color requires separate preparation of the lithographic stone or plate, a labor-intensive task involving grinding, etching, and precise registration. The drips and bleeding edges suggest a fluid application of ink, possibly through gestural brushstrokes or spontaneous pours. This blend of control and chance is a hallmark of much abstract expressionist printmaking. Ultimately, a piece like this challenges us to think beyond conventional categories, and to consider how the hand, the tool, and the material all contribute to the final effect.