Orofena, from Imaginary Places III

Over a period of four years, Stella created a body of prints whose titles all came from 'The Dictionary of Imaginary Places' by Alberto Mangual and Gianni Guadalupi. Each work from this series is recognisable for its teaming compositions of twisting, colliding and knotted forms. The shapes appear to spill out of their sheet, seemingly trying to escape their frames. As he had done since the 'Swan Engravings', Stella employed his full palette of printmaking media in this series, to realise these compositions - including lithography, relief printing, etching, aquatint, engraving and screenprinting.
The physicality of the works are as inventive and creative as the titles of the series itself. Appearing almost like a psychedelic spectrum, the imagery is deceptively random, in fact Stella constructs a composition that is tight and coherent, showing off his sophisticated design aesthetic and use of printing techniques.

Lithograph, screenprint, etching and aquatint printed in colours, with relief, 1998, signed in pencil, dated, numbered from the edition of 55 (there were also 14 artist's proofs), with the publisher's blindstamp, Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Mount Kisco, 54.6 x 55.2 cm. (21½ x 21¾ in.)

Axsom 252