For this series we’ve titled Sculptural Organic, a group of 18 silkscreen prints have been editioned that draw on research into the history and ethos of the Mexican Functionalists. The Functionalists were a group of architects and designers working during the 1930s that included Juan O’Gorman and Juan Legarreta. Their designs embraced an “economy of materials”. Their spaces worked to avoid any material ‘camouflage’ and instead celebrated the inherent simplicity and beauty of brick, wood and natural stone. The Mexican Functionalists focused on sympathetic relations between building and site, and an interest in finding ways to expose the raw textures and make a feature of unadorned surfaces and building materials. The philosophy of the Mexican Functionalist was also to eschew the display of decorative objects and artworks in their living spaces instead favoring the display of everyday, useful objects such as ceramic cups, vessels and serving bowls. It is this aspect of their design philosophy that inspired this series; across all of the prints, ceramic processes, the materiality of clay and its elemental makeup of earth and water act as a key touch-points. A small group of ceramicists based in California (Zoe Dering and Donna DeSoto), New Mexico (Natan Moss) and Mérida, Mexico (Eugenia ‘Uxii’ Diaz) were invited to work as project collaborators. These artists primarily produce functional ceramic objects - vessels, serving ware, furniture - and from their designs and surface techniques, the series of prints was produced. As a collection, these works tell a rich story inspired by material, process, history and design.
Donna began working with ceramics over 14 years ago. Her art education initially centered around textiles and surface design, but while a student at Rhode Island School of Design she was able to collaborate on a series of silkscreen-printed ceramic tiles for a furniture project that gave her the introduction to the medium she would later return to. The calm focus required to center and throw a pot on the wheel is to her, the most enchanting facet of working with ceramics. The metamorphosis from a ball of clay to beautiful, functional object is a process Donna is continually inspired by. Most recently, Donna made work for the shop at the Craft Contemporary Museum in Los Angeles and regularly sells her gloriously patterned pieces through the Ten Women Gallery in Santa Monica, CA. She currently splits her time between Los Angeles and New York City.
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Our typical framing practice is to float mount prints with 1-inch of space around the print. This is a method of framing that keeps the art fully visible in the frame and leaves the edges of the cotton papers exposed. A spacer is added to the frame to keep the artwork from touching the plexiglass. Float mounting requires adhering the print to an acid free foam core back or mat board using acid free linen tape.UV-filtering plexiglass is used for all frames, an option that has become the industry standard. Plexiglass is lighter, scratch-resistant & shatter-resistant (essential for shipping). It also provides more UV protection and less glare than glass. Standard Framing – We work with online framing company Simply Framed to offer three standard framing finishes; White, Natural and Black. For those interested in different finishes beyond these three, they can view the full selection of Simply Framed options and email us prior to purchase, allowing us to provide a quote and finalize arrangements. More about the Standard Framing processPremium Framing – We work with Boston-based fine art framers, Adjective Art & Framing to select specific framing options for each of our invited artist editions. Adjective builds custom-made contemporary hardwood frames for artists, collectors, galleries, and museums. Their standard line of moldings are milled from sustainably sourced hardwoods (often Ash, Maple, Walnut or Cherry) that are then custom stained or lacquered. Adjective backs all their frames with sturdy wooden strainers, reinforcing their structure and allowing their profiles to be narrower - an elegant way to present contemporary prints. For those interested in different finishes beyond those we’ve selected, they can view the full offering of finishes from Adjective and email us prior to purchase, allowing us to provide a quote and finalize arrangements. More about the Premium Framing Process
More information about Custom Framing
