Artwork
Alfredo Y Alberto
Alfredo Y Alberto is a print by East London Printmakers. It dates from 2009 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Their bodies merge at the torso, draped in layered garments of blue, black, and white.
Created in 2009 by East London Printmakers, this screenprint features two fused, fantastical figures—one resembling a bird, the other a cat—facing away from each other. Their bodies merge at the torso, draped in layered garments of blue, black, and white. Set beneath a circus-style canopy with tassels and feathered edges, the scene is rendered in flat, bold colors against a plain white background, evoking a quiet, dreamlike stillness.
Subject & Meaning
The dual figures suggest duality or internal conflict, their opposing gazes hinting at divided perspectives or identities. The fusion of animal forms with ornate clothing implies a blending of the wild and the cultivated, perhaps reflecting themes of performance, disguise, or hidden selves. The circus tent, traditionally a space of spectacle, frames the figures as both performers and subjects of quiet mystery.
Technique & Style
Executed as a screenprint, the work employs flat, unmodulated color fields and sharp outlines, emphasizing graphic clarity over texture or shading. The patterns on the garments and canopy are simplified, contributing to a stylized, almost emblematic quality. The composition is deliberately contained, with no background detail to distract from the central figures and their elaborate drapery.
History & Provenance
Produced by East London Printmakers, the print is part of a limited edition, each copy signed, numbered, and titled by the artist. The title 'Alfredo Y Alberto' appears as the artist’s signature, suggesting a fictional or collaborative persona. The work entered public collections through institutional acquisitions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, which holds examples of contemporary British printmaking from this period.
Context
This print emerged during a resurgence of interest in handcrafted printmaking in the UK, where collectives like East London Printmakers revived traditional techniques for contemporary expression. The work aligns with broader trends in post-2000 British art that explore surrealism, anthropomorphism, and the symbolism of performance, often drawing from folk traditions and theatrical imagery.
Legacy
The print contributes to a growing body of work that reimagines printmaking as a vehicle for narrative and psychological depth. Its inclusion in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection affirms its place within the discourse of contemporary British prints. The fusion of animal forms with regal attire continues to inspire artists exploring identity, transformation, and the boundaries between the real and the imagined.
Artist & collection
Artist
This group makes contemporary prints that tell everyday stories with sharp, colorful lines.
