Encore une femme 1970

Eduardo Arroyo made this striking image, Encore une femme, through the process of screen printing. This method allows for bold colors and flat planes of color, which he uses to great effect. Screen printing is a commercial technique, often used for posters or textiles. The resulting image has a graphic quality, almost like a design for mass production. The use of such techniques and materials raises questions about originality, the role of the artist’s hand, and the very definition of fine art. Arroyo was deliberately challenging these concepts. Consider the amount of labor involved. The process requires careful preparation of screens, precise alignment, and multiple passes for each color. The result is a complex image built up from layers, each contributing to the overall effect. Arroyo uses these industrial techniques not just for their aesthetic qualities, but for their association with labor and the wider world of design and industry. By understanding the materials, the making, and the context, we can appreciate the full meaning of this artwork and how it challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.