Cool poster I found in my attic...

I have no idea where this came from. My Mum doesn't remember buying it or anything. It's pretty nice though. Says the artist is unknown which is a shame 'cause I'd like to know! It reads at the bottom:

"Originally issued in 1908, and reproduced from London Transport's Historic Poster Archives in 1983 by Charterhouse Printing, London"

Obviously it was made as an advertisement for this place - Golders Green the place of delightful prospects. You can barely make out the small poem printed on a scroll just underneath the woman and child but I managed to look up the author - William Cowper - on the internet and here's what it says:

'Tis pleasant, through the loopholes of retreat

To peep at such a world; to see the stir

Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd;

To hear the roar she sends through all her gates

At a safe distance, where the dying sound
Falls a soft murmur on the uninjur'd ear.

A rather pleasant and relevant piece of writing considering how peaceful looking the area in the poster is portrayed by the artist. 

We have the text along the top appearing on another scroll. After researching briefly the history of the London Underground logo I found this similar looking image of the logo made since this poster was released:

In comparison with the more modern, up to date version of the logo I notice they ditched the larger U and D which is disappointing. I like thinking that the letters in between the U and D symbolise the journey that one would make from their current location (the letter U) to their destination (the letter D).

After no success looking for more info on the poster, like how it was made etc. I'm left wondering whether the artist used paint primarily? Looks as if watercolour was used, definitely pencil anyway. 

Over all I think Golders Green looks like a very nice place to visit. So you could say the poster has done it's job. That's advertising for you!

Large Head

Large Head

Georg Baselitz - Woodblock and monotype on paper - 1966

I notice a lot of emotion in this piece. The aged face looks worn and fed up, the obscure shapes that cover his cheeks and forehead indicate pain perhaps. His small, almost squinted eyes seem to be staring out at something, deep in though indeed. I always like looking at portraits, I like to imagine what the person is thinking of at that moment or, why the expression on their face is that way. I like this print and although not the most complex or hard to actually produce physically - I think that a lot of energy went into conveying what this man was feeling. 

Favourite Chair

Favourite Chair

Gillian Golding - Linocut - (year not found)

This ominous looking print intrigued me upon first glance. From what is visibly a human sized rabbit sitting in an armchair covered in smaller, more colourful versions of himself looks relaxed. The woman stood a fair bit away in rabbit slippers is staring across at him, with a green door even further away. It's hard to tell what the woman is feeling or thinking, but what I find interesting about this print is how the rabbit is facing away, we are left to imagine the expression on this huge rabbits face, and I can only imagine it looking either smug or upset. Again, with some of the other prints I've looked at I am amazed at how much effort and concentration that must have went into making this print. In particular the intricate patterns upon the armchair, I am also impressed with the composition and structure of the objects. I like this print, and the way it makes me feel, it activates my imagination and grabs my attention. 

The Wallet Begins to Empty

The Wallet Begins to Empty, 1961/63, David Hockney

After exploring Hockney's 'Rake's Progress' this particular print jumped out at me. At first glance I was able to identify (roughly) what was going on. Referring to the title this man is being banished, or sent off, or maybe fired by what looks like superiors at the top of the set of stairs. The red splodge hanging in mid air around the dejected figure walking down the stairs appears in at least 2 other of Hockney's pieces in 'Rake's Progress'. I feel this may be connected to emotion that each figure is feeling within the prints. The fact this man's wallet is beginning to empty may be the reason for being ostracised from what looks like at the top of the stairs alongside the angry figures, the Washington Monument.
I like this print. It conveys (as I have perceived it) a simple message that Hockney may be getting across, and through simple objects and colours within the print, he definitely achieves this.

Olympic Robe

Jim Dine, Olympic Robe, 1998

The fact there isn't a person filling this colourful, ragged looking robe is interesting to me. Especially considering the pose it is displaying is that of movement. Hands on the hips suggest emotion. The lithographs title is conveyed on the bottom part of the robe which is the Olympic rings. The scrappy edges around the print is what I mostly enjoy about it, the sense of pride I feel this print is trying evoke is striking. The body language on display has connotations of success. The more I have looked at this particular print of Dine's, the more I like it.

Shiant Garbh Eilean

Shiant Garbh Eilean by Norman Ackroyd, 2011 (print)

I really enjoyed studying this particular print when I discovered it. The sheer detail of the rock faces astound me, and after my first experience with printing I can only imagine how much time and effort Ackroyd put into this himself. This piece is from his collection of prints from the North of Scotland and I personally love the Highlands and the views they have to offer, so naturally I was attracted to this specific print.