Accession Code: WU0923 Title: Magnetic Fields 38/75 Date completed: 2012 Classification: Print Medium: Screenprint and Woodblock Height (mm): 490mm Width (mm): 510mm Depth (mm): n/a Inscription: signed, numbered and dated by artist Location Name: Warwick Arts Centre Location Description: Green Room Location Floor: 0

 

In 2011 Frost was given his fourth solo exhibition at the Beaux Arts Gallery in London, its title was ‘Magnetic Fields’ and it consisted of paintings which indicated some subtle changes in his work. They gave the impression of being less hectically spontaneous, the dominance of primary colours was reduced as wider ranges of hue and tone were introduced. This change has been reflected in his printmaking and is exemplified by the above piece – not only by having the same title as the Beaux Arts exhibition. It reveals a more measured disposition of shapes and colours, whilst retaining the energy and the gestural and textural qualities typical of Frost’s art.

Printmaking, in the form of lithographs and screenprints, has been an important adjunct to his painting output for several decades. In recent times he has been combining screenprint with woodblock printing to achieve a more varied surface quality. This is a complex process with the artist himself playing a major active part; usually a background is first screen printed onto the paper before shaped pieces of wood are individually inked and printed on top. Pulling these away from the paper creates the rippled texture and once these areas are dry, a screen is used to apply further marks and detail.