Red Flash 1970

Edna Andrade created "Red Flash," an eye-popping print composed of vibrant colors and simple shapes. Likely a silkscreen, the image consists of rows of circles, each divided into two halves of either red or turquoise, set against a flat blue ground. The effect is mesmerizing. The material qualities of ink on paper are used here to create an experience of pure visual sensation. The sharp edges and flat colors speak to the industrial processes that enabled Andrade to create the print. Her work reflects a mid-century fascination with mass production, and the blurring of lines between art, design, and craft. Andrade embraced these printing techniques, challenging notions of the artist as a solitary creator, and elevating these methods to high art. By focusing on materials and processes, we can appreciate how Andrade transformed ordinary materials into something extraordinary.