The Mechanical Hand

The Mechanical Hand: Artists' Projects at Paupers Pressfocuses on the work of Paupers Press, a fine art print studio that concentrates on etching, lithography and relief printing. The studio has worked with many of the leading contemporary artists working in collaboration with the artists to produce limited edition and unique prints, books and portfolio collections. The Mechanical Hand examines the collaborative relationship of the studio and the contemporary artists they work with.

The Mechanical Handfeatures Damien Hirst’s widely recognizableButterflies, controversial skull prints and large scale hand-inked photogravure Sanctum series 2009. Rachel Whiteread’sTwelve Objects, are discussed and featured; 12 etchings of everyday objects ranging from a walnut to a bottle to a light switch. From Keith Coventry there is his 2008 seriesCopper and Silkseries, a collection of 20 prints made by etching and silkscreen.The Mechanical Handincludes Jake & Dinos Chapman’sEtchasketchathonseries stemming from the popular childrens toy ‘Etch-A-Sketch’ and playing nostalgia and childhood innocence off against contemporary adult themes. The book also includes an interview with Turner Prize nominated Catherine Yass and commentary from the other artists included showing a unique insight into their working methods.