Etchings. 2010 – 2012
Etchings – Feathers & Lace
The collection of etchings named ‘Feathers & Lace’ is a magnificent combination of soft and hard ground etching techniques, line drawing, and aquatint on copper, zinc, and steel plates. The artist uses discarded objects such as bird feathers, lace remnants, and other ephemera as source material for processing the plates. The collection is available in various sizes, including 30cm x 30cm, 50cm x 50cm, and 45cm x 75cm.
Hill, the artist, commenced etching in 1975 while pursuing his BA Honours degree course at Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry, where his natural drawing ability, together with his keen interest in printmaking and social and political observation, provided him with a place at the Royal College of Art in 1979. During his three-year tenure at the Royal College of Art, Hill honed his skills and developed his unique style.
In 1982, Hill’s final year exhibition at the Royal College of Art was well-received, and he was invited to participate in a group show at Christie’s Inaugural – New Graduate Art in London. The exhibition, titled ‘Victory and Defeat,’ showcased his range of lithography, etching, and large-scale charcoal and ink drawings. Some of his works were purchased by the Imperial War Museum in London, and the keeper of art, Angela Weight, offered Hill a show in the museum’s foyer in 1983.
Since then, Hill has worked on multiple residencies and a fellowship before establishing his work with the Art Studio and other successful collaborations. Currently, he continues to work on printmaking alongside his painting and drawing practice, cementing his position as a master of his craft.
Feathers & Lace combines soft & hard ground etching with line drawing and aquatint on copper, zinc, and steel plates. Discarded ephemera such as bird feathers, lace remnants, and other objects are used as source material for processing onto the plates. All the etching collections range in size from 30cm x 30cm, 50cm x 50cm, 45cm x 75cm.
Hill began etching in 1975 at Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry, (now the School of Art & Design, Coventry University) while completing his BA Honours degree course. It was his natural drawing ability, an aptitude for social and political observation, combined with an interest in the process of printmaking that provided him with a place at the Royal College of Art in 1979, where he spent the next three years studying and practising.
Hill’s final year exhibition at the Royal College of Art in 1982 earned him a place in a group show at Christie’s Inaugural – New Graduate Art, in London. His show titled, ‘Victory and Defeat’, consisted of a range of lithography, etching, and large-scale charcoal and ink drawings, some of which were bought by the Imperial War Museum, London. It was here that the keeper of art, Angela Weight, who purchased the work for the Museum’s collection, offered Hill a show in the foyer of the IWM in 1983.
Since then, Hill has developed multiple residencies and a fellowship before establishing his work with the Art Studio and other successful collaborations. He continues printmaking alongside his painting and drawing practice.
