John Solem (American, d. 2014). Viscosity etching, ca. late 20th century. This original viscosity etching presents one of John Solem's interpretations of nature and was likely inspired by his explorations of Alaska, the High Sierra, the Canadian wilderness, and the Grand Canyon over a period of 30 years. By using the viscosity printing process (see more about viscosity printing below) Solem created an image in bas relief that conjures a breathtaking landscape, replete with rock cliffs, a flowing river, and billowing clouds in the skies above. The piece is set in a custom frame behind glass. Size of viscosity etching: 40.625" L x 28.625" W (103.2 cm x 72.7 cm) Size of frame: 48.125" L x 36.2" W (122.2 cm x 91.9 cm)

In 2003, John Solem had a solo exhibition at the Kwan Fong Gallery at California Lutheran University. The curators wrote the following, "Solem is a faculty emeritus of the CLU Art Department and a resident of Yosemite Lakes Park north of Fresno. The 'Wilderness Spirit' collection represents his direct experience with nature in Alaska, the High Sierra, the Canadian Wilderness and the Grand Canyon over the last 30 years. His artwork is best actualized through the flow of the sensory experiences with the natural world and shows a deep spiritual relationship between the artist and the wilderness."

Viscosity printing is a sophisticated technique that combines the principles of relief and intaglio printing. It was developed by Stanley William Hayter in Paris in the late 1960s. Viscosity by definition is a fluid's ability to resist flow. The artist can print multiple colors of ink from a single plate instead of using multiple plates to ensure color separation. The artist either scratches or etches a metal plate with acid, and then introduces a viscous ink that possesses the consistency of oil paint into the grooves. Then the polished surface is wiped clean with a cloth and newsprint. Once this is done, the ink only remains below the plate level. Following this, the artist covers the plate with a damp paper and felt blankets and runs it through a press. The immense pressure pushes the paper into the etched grooves to receive the ink. The result is that the ink that was once below the plate's surface is now embossed on the paper to create a relief surface.

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#168389

This viscosity etching has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be in excellent condition save a minor stain at the top center. The frame has a few minor scuffs but is otherwise intact and excellent; glass is intact, and it is fitted with a suspension wire and ready to display.