Self-Portrait 

This is a self-portrait of Tomás Joseph Harris, and was made using the etching process. The etcher carefully protects a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, before drawing their design with a needle. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. Ink is applied to the etched lines, and the surface wiped clean, allowing the image to be printed under great pressure. The nature of this process lends itself to the creation of fine lines and intricate details, visible in the delicate rendering of Harris’s features, and the swirling patterns of the background. Look closely, and you’ll see the artist has controlled the depth of the acid bite to create areas of light and shadow, adding depth and volume to the image. The controlled, repetitive nature of etching demands patience, and this contributes to its unique aesthetic quality. But it also raises questions about the relationship between art, craft, and the industrialized processes of print production. By exploring these ideas, Harris challenges our traditional notions of artistic skill and creativity.