Stanley William Hayter
Stanley William Hayter (United Kingdom, 1901–1988) was a British painter and printmaker renowned for founding Atelier 17 in Paris, a pivotal printmaking studio that influenced 20th-century art. His innovative techniques, including viscosity printing, merged Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism, attracting artists like Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. Hayter's work is celebrated for its dynamic compositions and technical mastery.

Artwork by Hans Hartung
What is automatism?
Automatism refers to a technique in the creative process that accesses material from the unconscious or subconscious mind. It is based on Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic method of free association. Artists value this process for its ability to inspire creative thought and spontaneous creation.