.Beverley Art Gallery
Michael Atkin printmaker
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Michael Atkin printmaker
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Our other site :
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Beverley Art Gallery, East Yorkshire All four etchings have been purchased for the permanent collection. These four new etchings were commissioned by Sally Hayes (The curator) of Beverley Art Gallery back in November 2006, the idea being that three artists would view the permanent collection, then create new artwork based upon these pictures. The results would be hung in the gallery alongside the pictures that inspired these new works.
To Evensong, Beverley Minster Image size 215 mm W x 350mm D Framed size:- 16 x 22 inches Etching & Aquatint, Edition of 25 with 2 Artist's proofs. Paper Hahnemühle etching 140Lbs Not Surface Paper Size 395 x 565 mm Having seen the image of the interior and wanting to include the Minster I contacted the verger with a view to climbing the tower, had images of huge bells in the foreground with a vista of Beverley through the windows. But as things turned out, and the bell towers were not open to the public, the idea of using the title Evensong conjured up idea of people walking through snow to attend a service. My image is taken from an unusual position from the roof, I had wanted to climb higher but this was not allowed, and so this night-time image with subdued light for me captures the huge stature of the building with ant like figures heading towards the entrance.
Image size 265 mm W x 265 mm D Etching & Aquatint, Edition of 25 with 2 Artist's proofs. Paper Hahnemühle etching 140Lbs Not Surface Paper Size 395 x 565 mm Image inspired by Brick Bridge by Fred Elwell. I t took some time to track down the place, and thankfully it still exists, although somewhat neglected, and with no evidence of children swimming, but because of it's isolated place, I imagined that it would be a good place for people to meet, hence Rendezvous at Brick Bridge, which I believe is how it is referred to by Bevelonians. |The figure on the footpath is approaching, but who is awaiting in the boat? The beck, stream which is more of a stagnant waterway was quite a shock having only seen it in the Fred Elwell painting. I couldn't image anybody wanting to swim in it as had been done during the 2nd world war. Quite often my pictures include humans as they bring scale to the landscape, each image has some hidden story to tell, this is for the viewer to discover or interpret as they see fit. One can do things in pictures that one cannot do in real life.
In expectation of a taxi cab Image size 208 mm x 310 mm Etching & aquatint, Edition of 25 with 2 Artist's proofs. Paper Hahnemühle etching 140 Lbs Not Surface Size 395 x 565 mm
The starting point for this print being that well loved The Last Cab by Fred Elwell, although somewhat foreshortened I decided to take the steps with the very distinctive rails at either side as the focal point. Obviously hansom cabs no longer exist, neither do taxi's when you most need one. My image is set during a spring rain storm, two figures (both with umbrellas) stand waiting expectantly for a taxi to arrive, the open door on the parked car emulating the open hansom cab door, the foreboding rain clouds show no sign of abating, and still they wait. I have tried to capture the 'wetness' of the scene using the vagaries of aquatint to darken the whole print. I wanted to use the word 'cab' in the title to marry his painting with my etching, hence 'In expectation of a taxi cab'.
Beverley and the aspidistra Image size 276 x 305mm Etching & Aquatint, Edition of 25 with 2 Artist's proofs. Paper Hahnemühle etching 140Lbs Not Surface Paper Size 395 x 565mm Image started with The Minster from Friar's Lane, easy enough to find, except it now houses the YHA, their garden which is enclosed need the inclusion of human activity, hence Beverley and the aspidistra. The view was very similar to the Elwell painting which naturally had changed somewhat, but I did like the brick work, the different planes of the houses and the Minster looming high above. I liked the intimacy of the enclosed garden with blossoming trees masking the Minster and so I've invented Beverley and the gift (perhaps unwanted) that she is carrying.
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Rendezvous
at Brick Bridge. 
