Signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 30 in pencil, on wove paper, with full margins.
Proscinemi, Delphi by Joe Tilson, created in 1979, is a vibrant etching and aquatint that blends ancient Greek cultural references with modern symbolism. The artwork features a bold, warm yellow and orange background inscribed with Greek letters that spell Delphi, invoking the mystique and spiritual significance of the ancient oracle site. At the center, a photograph of a pair of worn shoes on a stone ground is positioned, bringing an element of human presence and modern-day pilgrimage to the composition. The textured background and footprints surrounding the text and photograph create a sense of movement and continuity, connecting past and present. Tilson’s integration of ancient text with a contemporary image suggests themes of legacy, journey, and reverence, inviting viewers to reflect on personal and collective paths toward meaning and discovery.
Joe Tilson (United Kingdom, 1928–2023) was a British artist and a leading figure in the Pop Art movement of the 1960s. His work encompassed paintings, prints, and constructions, often incorporating vibrant colors and popular culture imagery. Tilson's art is held in public collections including the Tate Gallery, London; MoMA, New York; and the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam.
Etching and AquatintEtching and aquatint are printmaking techniques. In aquatint, the printing plate is etched with a pattern of tiny pits and cracks to create a wide range of tonal gradations. This technique allows artists to replicate the broad, flat tones found in watercolor paintings and ink washes.
Signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 30 in pencil, on wove paper, with full margins.
Proscinemi, Delphi by Joe Tilson, created in 1979, is a vibrant etching and aquatint that blends ancient Greek cultural references with modern symbolism. The artwork features a bold, warm yellow and orange background inscribed with Greek letters that spell Delphi, invoking the mystique and spiritual significance of the ancient oracle site. At the center, a photograph of a pair of worn shoes on a stone ground is positioned, bringing an element of human presence and modern-day pilgrimage to the composition. The textured background and footprints surrounding the text and photograph create a sense of movement and continuity, connecting past and present. Tilson’s integration of ancient text with a contemporary image suggests themes of legacy, journey, and reverence, inviting viewers to reflect on personal and collective paths toward meaning and discovery.
Joe Tilson (United Kingdom, 1928–2023) was a British artist and a leading figure in the Pop Art movement of the 1960s. His work encompassed paintings, prints, and constructions, often incorporating vibrant colors and popular culture imagery. Tilson's art is held in public collections including the Tate Gallery, London; MoMA, New York; and the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam.
I think it's a mistake for painters or poets to get too involved in politics, any more than it makes sense for them to get swept up in being fashionable.
- Joe Tilson
One of the leading artists of the 1960’s British Pop Art movement, Joe Tilson has drawn from his own experience as a carpenter to create wooden reliefs and constructions, alongside prints and paintings. His earliest work was print-making; Tilson would craft unique prints on which he would paint directly, adding a handmade quality - he would often blur the lines between two and three-dimensional space, as evident in his Bela Lugosi Journal piece. Later in his career, Tilson began to widen his range of materials to include rope, straw and stone, all of which he used as a means to escape the constraints of time and culture by making use of pre-classical motifs for which he is now widely recognised. (Artist website)
Activist Art is a form of art created to address social and political issues. It often involves public engagement and works closely with communities to raise awareness or inspire change. While it can include elements of performance art, it is not limited to this form. Examples include creating and distributing social protest posters or organizing community-based art projects that highlight specific causes.