Aphrodite Bathing Possibly 1970

Ann Brunskill made this print, Aphrodite Bathing, sometime before 1990. I love how Brunskill lets the process of printmaking show – the grid-like texture on Aphrodite's torso creates a beautiful contrast with the silhouette of her body. The inky darkness of the figure against the lighter ground gives the piece a slightly surreal quality. That single, staring eye only adds to the sense of mystery and the unknown. It’s like we’re glimpsing a private moment, or maybe something not quite real. The way Brunskill suggests the waves and clouds with these soft, smudgy marks feels so gestural. There's something about her approach that reminds me of Paula Rego, in the sense of storytelling and a slightly unsettling atmosphere. For me, this piece sits between representation and abstraction.