John Gall
Jan 27, 2009
Think you’re a slave to typography? John Gall gags and binds his characters with letters, number and rope.
His primary medium is printmaking (intaglio), illustration and linocut secondary. John comes from a math and science background, which displaces the theory that creative people are right brained and academics, left. It does however shed light on his subjectivity, nature versus science, and why he’s been at this body of work since 1995.
John’s work has the very traditional qualities of printmaking; slightly distorted forms, yellow tinted coloring and strong textures. “I relate to the European tradition of etching, emphasizing line and technique,” says Gall. “Many of my mentors: Rembrandt, Goya, Whistler, and Picasso all excelled as draftsmen and etchers. The love of a strong graphic image and the craft to produce it can be clearly seen in their prints. I would like to think I am proceeding in the same direction. To keep myself fresh and introduce varity, I also work in other mediums in addition to printmaking, the most common of these is mixed media on paper.”
This entire collection would make a great collectors edition playing card set as the men have a joker / peasant look to them. I do wonder if the use of “X” and “Y” correspond with the use of the male figure, and why there is limited use of the female. When I’ve asked this same question of other artists, their response has been, the use of a female figure is too obvious, over done. They prefer not to have the usual connotations attached their piece; it was a lover, a desirable, a feeling of hatred for the opposite sex, etc.
For info on his intaglio, relief and illustration, visit his site.
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