Signed John Solem Viscosity Etching - Grand Canyon

John Solem (American, d. 2014), viscosity etching entitled "The Northern Rim". Signed, titled, and numbered 1/40 in pencil at lower left. Ca. late 20th century.

A very special piece from John Solem's "Wilderness Spirit" collection - a series of landscapes inspired by the artist's experiences in Alaska, the High Sierra, the Canadian Wilderness, and the Grand Canyon - as depicted here - over the course of 30 years. By using the viscosity printing process, Solem created an image in relief presenting a vivid view of various plants native to the region nestled amidst dramatic rock croppings, with plains in the distance, and whispery clouds in blue skies above. All is delineated in a striking color palette of azure blue, white, burgundy, pink, claret, yellow, sage, as well as spring and kelly greens.

Viscosity printing is a sophisticated technique that combines the principles of relief and intaglio printing. It was developed by Stanley William Hayter in Paris in the late 1960s. Viscosity by definition is a fluid's ability to resist flow. The artist can print multiple colors of ink from a single plate instead of using multiple plates to ensure color separation. The artist either scratches or etches a metal plate with acid, and then introduces a viscous ink that possesses the consistency of oil paint into the grooves. Then the polished surface is wiped clean with a cloth and newsprint. Once this is done, the ink only remains below the plate level. Following this, the artist covers the plate with a damp paper and felt blankets and runs it through a press. The immense pressure pushes the paper into the etched grooves to receive the ink. The result is that the ink that was once below the plate's surface is now embossed on the paper to create a relief surface.

In 2003, John Solem had a solo exhibition at the Kwan Fong Gallery at California Lutheran University. The curators wrote the following, "Solem is a faculty emeritus of the CLU Art Department and a resident of Yosemite Lakes Park north of Fresno. The 'Wilderness Spirit' collection represents his direct experience with nature in Alaska, the High Sierra, the Canadian Wilderness and the Grand Canyon over the last 30 years. His artwork is best actualized through the flow of the sensory experiences with the natural world and shows a deep spiritual relationship between the artist and the wilderness."

Condition: The viscosity etching appears in excellent condition. It has not been examined outside the frame. Slight stain to upper right of matting. Framing is of museum quality.