Rye Field 

Claire Van Vliet’s ‘Rye Field’ is a print of a landscape dominated by a sky rendered in grey-blue hues that merge into the land, using a limited palette that evokes a contemplative mood. The composition divides the scene horizontally, giving almost equal weight to the sky and the field below. This flattening of perspective challenges traditional landscape conventions, inviting us to consider the surface qualities of the artwork itself. The yellow field, rendered with loose strokes, provides a stark contrast to the muted sky, creating a visual tension. The texture is notable – the roughness of the printmaking process is not concealed but celebrated, drawing attention to the materiality of the piece. This honesty about the medium disrupts any illusionistic depth. Ultimately, ‘Rye Field’ can be appreciated for its formal qualities: the interplay of color, texture, and composition. It is an engagement with the properties of its materials that challenges the viewer to engage with the art object beyond representation.