The Sacred Way, Collagraph print by Barron Hirsch

 

The Sacred Way, Barron Hirsch 

I had a chance to talk with Professor Barron Hirsch today about his piece hanging in the Saints, Sinners and '63 show here in the University Art Gallery! His abstract collagraph print, The Sacred Way, was inspired by the stoney ruins of ancient Rome. The broken, jagged shapes that make up the composition have a dark, heavy outline and are arranged so they touch, but never fit into place with one another. The heavy outline is contrasted by the delicate transition of colors within the shapes, which create depth within the shapes themselves. The Sacred Way, according the Hirsch, contrasts his other pieces in the series because of its cool blue tones. The blue that is integrated into the composition is actually the final step of his process, created by navy blue fabric dye brushed onto the surface once the collagraph print process is complete. This process creates an interesting surface texture as the ink rejects the water-based dye, which soaks into the paper where it can.

Stop by the University Art Gallery to see this piece of artwork and work by many other talented artists during the Saints, Sinners and '63 show, on display through October 4th. For more information on Saints, Sinners & '63, Visit the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum website at http://marshallfredericks.org/#.

Amy Gibas
Gallery Assistant, University Art Gallery
Saginaw Valley State University