Wither & Perish

WITHER & PERISH III

21 x 15 cms

Double Plate Photo etching onto 280 gsm Cotton Rag Paper

Using dead weeds and leaves that have turned skeletal, this body of work is called Wither & Perish and it explores notions related to the cyclical and impermanent nature of life.

There are six prints that form this body of work. The one above incorporates a photographic image, and like the leaves the photograph itself had begun to deteriorate, discolour and show the signs of age; and is a layered two plate print incorporating one relief print in gold and a sepia intaglio photo etching.

The large one below, comprises a large X-ray (highlighting our human fragility) that has been made into an etching using ImagOn laminating film – incorporated into this image is a relief print of a deteriorating weed winding its way, inexorably into the skull.

The smaller images below are relief prints of skeleton leaves and flora found locally – the delicate structure and beauty of nature is thus made visible.

The title of the works come from the Hymn ‘Immortal, Invisible’, Verse 3 …

To all life thou givest, to both great and small;

in all life thou livest, the true life of all;

we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,

and wither and perish; but nought changeth thee.

W. Chalmers Smith