Three Gay Birds c. 1940s

Millard Sheets made this colourful serigraph, titled "Three Gay Birds." Serigraphy, also known as screen printing, is a process by which ink is pushed through a stenciled mesh screen onto the printing surface. The result is a graphic image with bold areas of colour and sharp edges, as we see here. The interplay between vibrant red and blue fields and the flattened forms of the birds gives the image a visually striking effect. Serigraphy has a fascinating history, bridging the worlds of art and industry. It was initially adopted for commercial printing, like posters, but artists quickly saw its potential for creative expression. This print is a great example of how a technique rooted in mass production can be harnessed to create unique, handmade artworks. It’s a reminder that art doesn't exist in a vacuum; it's intertwined with broader social issues of labor, commerce, and creativity.