Serigraph #3 (Still-Life) 1956

F.W. Cochrane made this color serigraph, or screenprint, called "Serigraph #3 (Still-Life)" in 1956. Serigraphs are produced by forcing ink through a stencil screen onto paper. The method of layering colors and shapes gives this still life a stylized, modern aesthetic. While on the surface the image is simply a collection of domestic objects, the date of its creation is very important. The mid-1950s were a period of immense growth for modern art institutions, and organizations such as the Canada Council were formed to further support the careers of artists. Cochrane's work should be understood within the context of mid-century Canadian modernism. Artists explored abstraction and experimented with new styles and mediums. Serigraphs were inexpensive to produce and allowed artists to distribute their art widely. To fully understand Cochrane's work, one should investigate the institutional support he received, as well as the artistic and cultural trends of his time. The art historian's role is to connect this still life to its historical and social context.