Promenade 

Abraham Hankins created this print, "Promenade," using etching, a process where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, and then inked and printed. The texture you see comes from the weave of the paper, which has been pressed hard against the plate during printing. The colors have been carefully considered; the juxtaposition of the cool blues and greens with warmer oranges and yellows creates a lively surface. As a print, this work is inherently reproducible. The very nature of printmaking lends itself to the distribution of images, making art more accessible and democratic. The labor-intensive process of etching, with its combination of technical skill and artistic vision, invites us to consider the value of both craft and fine art, blurring the lines between them. Looking at the image this way, we can challenge traditional hierarchies and appreciate the rich history of materials, making, and context that informs the work.