Artists in Print

THIS exhibition includes several prestige names, some of whom are specialist printmakers while others are probably better known…

THIS exhibition includes several prestige names, some of whom are specialist printmakers while others are probably better known as painters. For instance, Terry Frost will be recognised as one of the original St Ives School of abstract painters, but the big, uninhibited screenprint he exhibits is a good example of his extrovert lyricism. It may recall Ken Noland's 1960s "target paintings" by its circular motif, but its temperature is unmistakably several degrees of Frost.

Bridget Riley (I have always thought her prints more subtle than her paintings) has two of her typical "stripe" works.

Michael Craig-Martin is best known for his big, elegant, "cool" (and sometimes rather empty) wall drawings, but he too is an accomplished graphic artist in his own right. In particular, one very large screenprint has a joyous, hedonistic quality - simple, rather Pop-artist shapes upon a blue ground, with some debt perhaps to Matisse and Dufy, but in effect closer to the clean-limbed style of Patrick Caulfield.

The colour etchings of Fergus Fehilly operate within narrow limits but make something positive out of this; though John Graham while skilful and tasteful, seems enmeshed in the coils of technique. Other exhibitors are Hamish Fulton and Catherine Lynch. Not a large show in terms of numbers. but one with some good meat to it.