Motyl (Butterfly) 1988

Ladislav Cepelák made this print, Motyl – that’s Butterfly in Czech – we don’t have a date for it, but look at how he used the process of printing to create a mood. See how the stark contrast between the black and white shapes, gives it a kind of drama? The butterfly seems to be emerging from the darkness, or perhaps disappearing into it. I love the way the edges of the wings are frayed and broken, it’s almost as if the butterfly is dissolving before our eyes. The texture of the print is really interesting, too. You can see the marks of the plate, the way the ink has been applied unevenly, creating a sense of depth and movement. It’s like the butterfly is caught in a moment of transformation, and the printing process itself becomes part of that story. For me it's reminiscent of Warhol's Pop Art, with its bold, graphic style. And just like Warhol, Cepelák uses a simple image to explore bigger ideas about life, death, and beauty.