Untitled 1980

Stanley William Hayter made this untitled work in 1980 on paper with colorful inks. The inks, applied with gestural brushstrokes, are far from the meticulous, multi-layered processes usually associated with printmaking, for which Hayter was renowned. Each stroke remains visibly independent, bearing the marks of its making. Note the texture of the paper and the variation of color within each stripe, caused by the ink’s interaction with the fibres. The arrangement is like a deconstructed printing matrix, each stripe acting as a distinct element. Hayter’s technique embraces spontaneity, offering a fresh perspective on printmaking. The simple act of applying ink to paper becomes a meditation on the interplay between material and method. This work blurs the lines between traditional fine art and more process-driven studio crafts, inviting us to appreciate the beauty inherent in the act of creation itself.