Aphrodite Returns to the Sea Possibly 1970

Ann Brunskill's "Aphrodite Returns to the Sea" is made with a plate, ink and paper. The image, rendered in dreamy blues, makes me think about how the processes of intaglio printmaking must have been for Brunskill. Imagining her scoring, etching, and wiping the plate—she created a layered tapestry of textures and tones. This gives the piece a shimmering, watery feel. It's as if the goddess of love is dissolving back into the waves from whence she came! Brunskill’s line is delicate but confident, and the sea, teeming with life. I’m reminded of other artists who have explored similar themes of nature and mythology, like Georgia O'Keefe with her floral abstractions and Hilma af Klint's spiritual investigations. Ultimately, Aphrodite’s ethereal form speaks to how artists across time are always in conversation, inspiring each other's visions and creativity.