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Collector’s Focus: Prints and Editioned Works. aspireart.net

From 16 to 28 February Aspire Art presents a specially themed Timed-Online auction, EDITIONS. Highlighting only editioned works, it showcases how South African artists including Penny Siopis, Diane Victor, Peter Clarke, Sam Nhlengethwa, Robert Hodgins, Walter Battiss and William Kentridge have used printmaking as a major medium of artistic expression.

Traditionally, prints have been seen as a gateway point to the art world, a way to get a collection started. In many respects this is true. For collectors, intimidated by the often impenetrable price points of the art market, prints and editioned works remain accessible. In 2013 the popular American contemporary artist, Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog (Orange) (1994–2000) sold for $58.4 million at auction, but smaller porcelain multiples of this iconic work published in an edition of 2,300 sell for just $10,000. Likewise, William Kentridge’s bronze sculpture Procession (1999-2000) sold on auction for a record $1.53 million in 2013, but it’s possible to find an original editioned work by the artist for under $2,000. And it’s still a Koons or a Kentridge.

However, “the idea that prints are only for new collectors is a misconception”, says Sarah Sinisi, Senior Art Specialist at Aspire Art. “A unique segment of collecting, prints are collected by people at any stage of their collecting journey”. Price points also vary. In 2011, Kentridge’s Orange Head (1993) sold for 103,250 GBP at auction. A large-scale drypoint, artist’s proof aside from an edition of 15, another of the edition illustrated the cover of Contemporary South African Art: The Gencor Collection. The reason for the higher value may be attributed to the recognised importance of the work, its rarity, size and the complexity of how it was created.

Furthermore, “prints offer a rich dimension to a collection and their role can be as diverse and multifaceted as their price points and the prints themselves. Printmaking is an entry point, but it is also an important element in building a comprehensive collection that tells a complete story of an artist’s practice” explains Sinisi.

But diving into collecting prints can be daunting. A highly intricate and technical medium, it is useful to know some of the basics.

What are the different types of prints?

There are many different types of prints but four of the best-known techniques are etching, lithography, screenprint and woodcut.

Etching: The artist scratches into a metal plate covered in wax with an etching needle. This is then submerged in acid which eats into the exposed metal. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper. Printed in reverse, etching is often used to print extremely delicate lines.

Lithography: A lithograph is a hand-made print made from an image applied to a flat surface. Printing is done from a stone or metal plate with a grained surface. An image is drawn, painted or photographically applied to the stone or plate using a greasy medium and treated with a chemical solution that ensures it attracts printing ink, while blank areas repel ink and attract water. Oil-based ink is then applied and the stone or plate is placed on a lithographic press.

Screenprint: An image is cut into a sheet of paper or plastic film, creating a stencil. Stencils are then used to print an image by pressing ink through a screen onto paper. The stencils block out areas of the screen so that ink can only pass through the open areas.

Woodcut: The oldest of these printmaking processes. An image is carved into a wooden block and then inked and printed onto paper. The technique results in a bold, graphic image with sharp edges.

But what is an edition?

An original print is generally produced as a limited number of impressions – collectively known as an edition. Each print is given an edition number, usually written as a fraction, for example, 3/15. The number to the right indicates the size of the edition and to the left the individual print’s number. A smaller edition size and a higher degree of rarity can contribute to a print’s value.

How do I look after my prints?

Works on paper are living breathing things and need to be handled with care. Don’t hang a print in direct sunlight, ensure it is kept away from moisture and always use reputable framers who will properly mount the work using the correct materials.

Start your collection today. To view and bid on the EDITIONS: Timed-Online Auction, visit www.aspireart.net. For enquiries, contact Sarah Sinisi at 021 418 0765 or email sarah@ aspireart.net