Deborah Chapman (CA)
Text written by GHA
The richly saturated mezzotint engravings of Deborah Chapman in black and white depict a vigorous life of energetic butterflies circling light sources at night.
Chapman uses the mezzotint technique with great virtuosity to create dense contrasts and a delicate, silky texture, in which the light slowly unfolds, demanding the viewer’s patience and attention as they adapt to the nocturnal environment of the imagery. The profound shadows and contrasts between the soft black surfaces and the bright, almost tangible light create a mesmerising interplay between light and dark, leaving equilibristic studies of illuminations, reflections and shadows. The compositions isolate extracts of human furniture and props, turning these into small nocturnal worlds where butterflies live their lives in reconizable, yet suddenly strange surroundings.
Hence, the images function as nocturamas, displaying a vibrant life unfolding in a precarious silence where one can almost hear the butterfly’s wings dragged swiftly through the night. Chapman’s poetic compositions thereby point to the vitality and omnipresence of life, making us witness small magical worlds appearing in the quiet hours of night. So take a moment to enjoy these skilfully crafted prints and get a glimpse of a world that unfolds while we dream.
Find more works in our webshop >>>
Theatre de l’Impensable Les Promesses se Dessinent
