TBT: “Entrances, Exits & Entropy”
We love Brian Cypher’s images; abstractions drawn from a multitude of sources and inspirations, including science, forms observed in nature, automatic drawing, process and materials. In this post we look back at a project from 2014 that is a bit of a sleeper.
above: “North Star Net”, 2014. Etching and aquatint with burnishing. Image: 8″ x 6″, paper: 14″ x 12″. Edition of 16. Published by Manneken Press.
Manneken Press published a group of twelve etchings by Cypher in 2014. These monochromatic prints are simultaneously powerful and quiet, transcending their intimate scale. Each image is a singular form suggesting a seed, star, root or shell to which Cypher has assigned an enigmatic title.
While working at Manneken Press, Cypher used a variety of traditional intaglio techniques including hard and soft ground etching, aquatint, sugar lift and soap ground. Some of the prints were made by transferring the artist’s original drawings on translucent film, made specifically for this project, to the copper plate using direct gravure, an adaptation of the photogravure technique.
above: Brian Cypher at Manneken Press, applying spit bite to a plate.
above: “Nested Section”, 2014. Etching and aquatint. Image: 8″ x 6″, paper: 14″ x 12″. Edition of 16. Published by Manneken Press.
“Entrances, Exits and Entropy”
Each image is 8″ x 6″, hand printed on 14″ x 12″ Fabriano Rosaspina paper in an edition of 16. Brian Cypher’s prints are available both singly and as a portfolio. Each portfolio is a fabric covered clamshell box stamped with the title which houses the twelve intaglio prints and a letterpress-printed colophon. Seven complete sets are available as portfolios. Portfolio covers were made by Cloverleaf Studio, Austin, TX.
top: “Entrances, Exits & Entropy” portfolio case.
middle: “Stella Nova”, 2014, direct gravure. Image: 8″ x 6″, paper: 14″ x 12″. Edition of 16. Published by Manneken Press.
bottom: “Field Line”, 2014, softground and aquatint. Image: 6″ x 8″, paper: 12″ x 14″. Published by Manneken Press.
Brian Cypher is a self-taught artist residing in the Skagit Valley, Washington. Cypher works primarily with drawing, painting and printmaking. Cypher has shown his work throughout the United States and Europe and his work was recently added to the Microsoft Art Collection.
Click here to view all of Brian Cypher’s prints. Contact Manneken Press for pricing/availability inquiries.
