Myth of Creation 1940

Stanley William Hayter made this print, "Myth of Creation," using engraving and etching techniques. It's all about the lines here, and how they dance and weave together. I love that artmaking can be a process of layering and revealing, and Hayter really shows this with his build-up of marks. Looking closely, you can see the physical process in every line. Some are deep and dark, others light and scratchy. Notice the way he uses cross-hatching to build up tone, especially in the top right. It gives the illusion of depth and form, even though it's all just lines on a flat surface. It reminds me of some of Picasso’s Cubist etchings, but Hayter brings his own frenetic energy. Ultimately, art's about the conversation, the endless remix of ideas. So let's keep looking, keep questioning, and keep making.