Artwork
My Mother and Me
My Mother and Me is a print by Celia Paul. It dates from 2004 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
My Mother and Me is a soft-ground etching by Celia Paul, featuring a dual portrait of the artist and her mother. The work showcases Paul's intimate approach to figurative art, capturing personal relationships through subtle, nuanced imagery.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Paul's mother seated prominently, while the artist herself is relegated to the background, partially hidden behind a doorway. This composition conveys a sense of the artist's deference or self-effacement in relation to her subject.
Technique & Style
Paul collaborated with printer Marc Balakjian to achieve a distinctive, muted quality through soft-ground etching. This technique, incorporating tallow to prevent drying, allowed for soft lines akin to pencil drawings or watercolors, despite being an etching.
History & Provenance
The etching plate and a print (E.17-2009) are part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, donated through the efforts of Marc Balakjian and Dorothea Wight of Studio Prints.
Context
My Mother and Me reflects Paul's broader practice of creating intimate portraits of familiar figures, often including her mother as a subject. This work exemplifies her exploration of personal connections through art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Celia Paul made intimate black-and-white prints that center on people and places tied to her life.
