Jeff Lowe: Monoprints & Editions
October marked a year since the collaboration between Jeff Lowe and the studio began. Referencing the sculptor’s current and ever-developing sculptural practice, prints produced share the experimentation with colour and overlapping shapes. Lowe’s large-scale aluminium sculptures are constructed through layers, sinuously folded and bolted together into dominating cylindrical forms. Alongside each other, the prints act as a further dimension to the sculptors practice. In speaking of their importance, Lowe felt that without the prints, it would feel like there was something missing to the visual conversation:
“I’m looking for a sort of dialogue between the sculptures and the prints...”
In The Close Distance No. 65, Monoprint, 2019
In The Close Distance No. 65, mid-construction with two layers still to be applied, 2019
Installation shot showing sculpture alongside monoprints: ‘In The Close Distance’, Pangolin London (January 2020)
“When the series of sculptures ‘In The Close Distance’ started, it became clear that the overlapping elements, colour, layering and seeing through cut outs into the sculptures was close to that of screen printing. ”
Still showing an example of one of Jeff’s CAD drawings taken from Jeff Lowe: A Life of Making (Paul Murphy), 2020. See the full film at the base of this Blog post.
The formation through layers translates perfectly within the printmaking process. Lowe uses digital drawings in preparation for both his sculpture and application to print, the individual organic shapes are drafted as outlines on the computer. Describing the purpose of these CAD (Computed Aided Design) drawings, Lowe says “they are not drawings to show me what the [work] will look like” but are facilitators to generate the ‘raw materials’ needed for the work. For sculptural work, they define the shapes cut from the sheets of metal. For print, they formulate the stencils exposed to the screen. Next comes the construction, determined by Lowe’s reaction and relationship towards these ‘raw materials’.
A naturally experimental process ensues in the production of the monoprints through direct responses to the work as it develops. Shapes are laid upon each other involving instinctual decisions regarding the variety of stencils and colours on offer. Through a combination of transparency to the inks and the openings and windows within the shapes, the prints cleverly reveal the underlying silhouettes, with the colours blending and creating unexpected effects. Each monoprint is a differing combination, completely unique being hard to replicate through any other process.
This being said, careful documentation of the layers going down have meant we have been able to produce a collection of editioned prints with the artist making it more affordable to own one of these intriguing works. A variety of scale, colour and volume across the board, you can see them below. Contact us to make your enquiry.
Presented alongside the sculptures within ‘In The Close Distance’, an exhibition at The Pangolin Gallery in January 2020, the prints produced with the studio create a dialogue which explore volume, space and layering.
Installation shot: ‘In The Close Distance’, Pangolin London
See more on the work of the artist in the video below, featuring footage filmed with Jeff in the studio. A publication ‘Jeff Lowe: Monoprints’ (Lee Publishing) edited by Monica Lowe has been produced, detailing a collection of monoprints made in collaboration with the sculptor in their first few sessions together. Work is ongoing and Jeff has engaged in eight sessions in the studio to date. We look forward to further collaboration and developing the artist’s already expansive print portfolio.