Sararas XX 1981

Omar Rayo made this geometric abstract artwork, Sararas XX, using a printmaking technique known as intaglio. Look closely, and you’ll see how the artist has cut lines into a metal plate, which then hold ink, and transfer to paper under high pressure. The linear patterns, squares, and subtle gradations of tone, are all born from this process. The embossed effect around the forms adds a tactile dimension, playing with light and shadow. Rayo's work is a celebration of the inherent qualities of the printmaking process itself. He masterfully used intaglio to explore visual paradoxes and geometric abstraction. The labor-intensive nature of intaglio contrasts with the clean, precise aesthetic of the final artwork. This tension invites us to consider the value of skilled handcraft in an age of mass production. Ultimately, Rayo's prints remind us that even seemingly simple forms can be imbued with depth and meaning through careful attention to materials and making.