[no title] 1990

Editor: This is an untitled etching by Christopher Le Brun. The density of the lines is striking. What can you tell me about the process and materials that created this image? Curator: The visible labor is key here. Consider the repetitive, almost aggressive marks. The artist’s hand is evident in the very texture of the etching, a physicality that belies its small size. The means of production become the message. Editor: So you see the process itself as carrying meaning? Curator: Absolutely. The materials used, the plate, the acid, the paper: these are not neutral supports but active participants in the artwork’s creation. It really challenges the high art and craft divide. Editor: I hadn't thought about the materials in that way before. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It's always useful to consider how the means of production shape our understanding.