The allure of this photogravure lies in its intimate simplicity. The viewer bears witness to a most natural and instinctive interaction between a group of King penguins and a Skua defending its space. The clarity and movement in the image allows the onlooker to engage with this moment of observation, almost hearing the wings beat in exasperation. The image captures the emotions of the time and experience of this encounter as well as its slightly comic nature.

The photograph on which this print is based was taken in one of the most remote wildlife habitats on our planet: South Georgia. Using the method of photopolymer printing, the artist controlled the various tones of detail across the image, ranging from wing pattern to the shapes of individual grass blades. Realising this image through the medium of printmaking on textured paper adds a level of depth and richness that photography alone is unable achieve.

Photogravure. Edition of 25. Four prints (impressions 2/25-5/25) available.

Biography

Ursula Pretsch works across a wide range of printmaking processes, not settling for any specific specialism but always looking for the most fitting way to apply one or a combination of processes to bring out the essential story of each print. She is an Edinburgh-based printmaker and creative maker incorporating printmaking into other other crafts made of paper and fabric. Ursula draws inspiration from observations made on journeys around the world as well as Scotland.