Artwork
Cheese Grater 4.05.13
Cheese Grater 4.05.13 is a print by Styan. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The building is shown against a blue background, which contrasts with the gray and white tones of the building itself.
The image shows a print of a building, titled "Cheese Grater 4.05.13". The building is depicted in a stylized manner, with bold lines and geometric shapes. It has a triangular shape, with a pointed top and a flat base. The building is shown against a blue background, which contrasts with the gray and white tones of the building itself.
The print is signed by the artist, Styan, and dated 2013. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The image suggests that the building is a modern, architectural structure, possibly a skyscraper or office building.
If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this print, you might want to look up Styan.
Overview
Styan’s 2013 screenprint, titled *Cheese Grater 4.05.13*, presents a stylised rendering of the 122 Leadenhall Street tower in London. The composition isolates the skyscraper against a uniform blue field, emphasizing its distinctive triangular silhouette. The work bears the artist’s signature, title, date and edition number, and is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on the tower commonly nicknamed “The Cheese Grater” because of its tapering, perforated façade. By reducing the structure to bold geometric forms, the print foregrounds the building’s iconic shape rather than its functional details, inviting viewers to consider the interplay between contemporary architecture and abstract visual language.
Technique & Style
Executed as a screenprint, the piece relies on layered stencils to achieve flat planes of gray, white and black that define the tower’s facets. The stark contrast between the muted building tones and the vivid blue background creates a graphic effect, while the clean lines and simplified geometry reflect a modernist aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Created in 2013, the work was numbered and signed by Styan at the time of production. It entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings shortly thereafter, where it remains catalogued as part of the museum’s print and drawing collection, documenting early‑21st‑century British printmaking.
Context
The print captures a moment when 122 Leadenhall Street, completed in 2014, was still a prominent construction site. Its representation anticipates the building’s entry into London’s skyline, reflecting contemporary interest in the city’s rapid architectural development and the visual culture surrounding new high‑rise landmarks.
Artist & collection
Artist
Styan is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:Andy Styan, British fell runner Frederick William Styan (1858–1934), English tea merchant Harold Styan O.B.E. (1895–1982), English gymnast, physical culturist,…
