Effective display of prints

Press, 29 November 1977, Page 12

Effective display of prints

Denise Copland, Prints and Drawings, C.S.A. Gallery until November 30. Reviewer: Michael Thomas. A fine display of prints and drawings by Denise Copland — an Honours student in engraving at Ham, has a short showing in the Mezzanine Gallery of the C.S.A. The prints explore the use of colour in etching, and make use of a wide variety of techniques to depict figurative imagery. Technically, they are impressive, and the professional presentation is immediately apparent. Six drawings — studies for the prints — demonstrate Denise Copland’s strength in the use of tonal contrast. This is particularly noticeable in the pencil study for “Confrontation,” where light and dark are effectively used to create a dramatic effect. One or two studies are overdramatised, and the mass of pattern in some of the etchings is confusing. “The Invitation,” and the print of “Confrontation,” however, show how well she can resolve a variety of

images and textures into a simplified design, in whicn all the shapes interrelate. These prints contain aptly restrained colour, and successfully expoit the contrasts between plain silhouette, modelled form, and oriental detail. Denise Copland’s wellpresented show concludes the impressive series of submissions by Honours students from Ham shown in art galleries this year.