Andrew Blanchard

Daddy always took me by the hand, said someday son you’ll understand’
Aluminium Plate and Screenprint: Lithographic Crayon, Solvent Tusche and Gum
2 Runs Lithography, 2 Runs Screenprint
770mm x 560mm
2003

My interest in lithography began in the fall of 1996 during undergraduate school. From the beginning, litho was a hard process to nail down. Scumming and filling-in, laboriously long print sessions and manually graining stones became integral to my work ethic as a new printmaking student. I am not certain that I would be here today if it were not for my persistence and these demanding inherent struggles.

The trials and tribulations of obtaining a quality litho image took years for me to perfect. And now, even with many lingering unanswered questions about technique, I am fortunate to say lithography has allowed so many permanent friendships to come into my life. Many travels Stateside and abroad have been fostered because of this mysterious process.

The two prints in this exhibition are lithographs with screenprint. The images in both prints predate my marriage by six months. Metaphor and analogy are rampant devices used throughout to camouflage any overly personal imagery, as well as to add mystery and a hint of humour for balance. Many anxieties concerning the ‘big event’ and how it would change my life were the core concepts driving this suite of lithographs. There was no picture perfect model of marriage in my childhood home, and I was hounded with self doubt, not wanting my marriage to end up like my parents’.

I felt somewhat lost before I exchanged vows with my wife, yet I took the fears and mystery of my future and left them among the plate, ink, and paper; excising them from the world. These lithographs are an affectionate ode to the ‘ole ball and chain’ years of my life.

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