Artwork
Please Do Not Touch
Please Do Not Touch is a print by Gill Saunders. It dates from 2010 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Gill Saunders’ 2010 print *Please Do Not Touch* presents a stark white rectangle set against a matte black field. The form is defined by crisp, unadorned edges, lacking any internal imagery. On the back, the work bears the artist’s signature, title, and a limited edition number, confirming its status as a numbered print.
Subject & Meaning
The title functions as a tongue‑in‑cheek admonition, echoing the customary museum signage that discourages physical contact with artworks. By foregrounding the directive itself, the piece invites viewers to contemplate the tension between the desire to touch and the institutional rules that govern visual objects.
Technique & Style
Saunders employs blind embossing to raise a braille inscription across the white surface, creating a tactile element invisible to the eye yet perceptible by touch. The limited palette of black and white strips away decorative distraction, directing attention to the material process and the conceptual gesture of the raised text.
History & Provenance
Issued as a limited edition in 2010, the print is documented as signed, titled, and numbered on its reverse side. While specific collection details are not disclosed, the work aligns with contemporary practices that integrate accessibility and viewer interaction within print media.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gill Saunders is a senior curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum, an author, and broadcaster.
