Tue Dec 10, 2024
Process of Tangram
3 December 2024
3 December 2024
When thinking about how to make the combination of plates meaningful, I was reminded of the Tangram puzzles we used to play with in math class as children. Tangrams were invented in China over a thousand years ago and were originally used to tell stories. The geometric pieces could be rearranged into countless complex shapes, making them a storytelling tool for children. This potential for recombination inspired the foundation of this work. Following that idea, I used black and white to distinguish each piece.
Interestingly, after the printing process, I found that the plate itself was also beautiful. Unlike zinc plates, this material retains more ink on the black areas, creating a striking contrast between the metallic sheen and the black surface. This effect is distinct from the printed result and offers a different kind of aesthetic.
Perhaps part of the meaning of this printmaking material lies in the fact that the plate itself can also become part of the artwork.