Oliver McConnie’s work explores the contemporary subversive potential of printing-making, which is traditionally associated with satire and political commentary. As such, his prints employ the grotesque, historical symbolism, and modern social mores to form a critique of the contemporary political environment.Etchings, in their scale and intensity, create a strong sense of looking into something, a cave, another world; this fits with the origin of the term grotesque which is ‘looking into the grotto’. Drawing on this quality and without employing reductive irony McConnie wishes to produce parodic prophecies which explore subjects including environmental destruction and class hierarchies. Humour is important to McConnie, and his images mix beauty with vomit and daemons.
Oliver McConnie
Oliver McConnie’s work explores the contemporary subversive potential of printing-making, which is traditionally associated with satire and political commentary. As such, his prints employ the grotesque, historical symbolism, and modern social mores to form a critique of the contemporary political environment.Etchings, in their scale and intensity, create a strong sense of looking into something, a cave, another world; this fits with the origin of the term grotesque which is ‘looking into the grotto’. Drawing on this quality and without employing reductive irony McConnie wishes to produce parodic prophecies which explore subjects including environmental destruction and class hierarchies. Humour is important to McConnie, and his images mix beauty with vomit and daemons.
Relief Etching, Artist-Made Inks, Printed on 250gsm Velvet Soft-White Paper
Unframed 21 x 21 cm/ Framed 33 x 33 cm
Numbered, printed and signed by the artist, edition of 50
In Oliver’s zodiac series he uses a relief printmaking technique to depict the ancient zodiac system. These century old methods are apt for their subject matter, giving a certain visual tactility with rustic thick line-work to his zodiac interpretations.
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