Butterfly II - Artist's Proof
Butterfly II - Artist's Proof
22 x 22”/56 x 56cm
Archival pigment inks with 23 karat gold leaf on Somerset cotton paper with a hand deckled edge
Ed. 8 + 1 AP + 1 PP
This work is hand finished with 23k gold leaf, pencil and charcoal. This artist’s proof is a collectors piece. Each piece is unique.
“‘Butterfly II, Bee II and Lady II’ are a continuation of the 2023 sold out Halo Series. This second series is perfected to sit in harmony with the previous works of the same size and format.”
The three textured, monochromatic works featured in Waggett’s new series plays homage to British heritage and the Victorian emblems of her home city, Manchester, England. Layers of charcoal depict the creatures she studied in her garden as a child, each colliding with intricate gold Victorian designs. The light play captured within each piece is deemed “something out of my control,” — the work becomes alive and takes its own meaning across the days and seasons. Join in the exploration of memory, home, presence and absence.
*Artist’s proofs are generally considered a status symbol in the world of art collecting. Their resale value is proportionally higher than the numbered editions.
Artists Proofs are impressions of a print taken during the printmaking process. They are used to evaluate the current state of a plate, stone, etc. while it is still being worked on by the artist. The artist will pull proofs to evaluate issues such as color and line and then alter the plate, stone, etc. accordingly until the print is perfected to the artist’s standards.
After perfecting the print, the artist will set aside a number of “artist’s proofs.” Though technically considered proofs, the quality of these prints is the same as those from the regular edition. Artist’s proofs are not included in the regular edition but are still of the same high quality; they are exactly the same as works from the regular edition, but are not numbered or noted as works from the regular edition.
Instead, artists will often designate artist’s proofs with the initials ‘A.P.’ for ‘Artist’s Proof.’ The amount of artist’s proofs is 10% or less of the full edition.
Artist's proofs maintain their collectability and value because A) They are a small subset of the edition, and B) they usually come directly from the artist. In these days of mass marketing, getting something directly or even indirectly from the artist is rare.