CHENNAI: Bruce Peck’s ‘A Travelogue’, an ongoing exhibition at Apparao Galleries, is a reflection of his travels across cities in India. The US-based artist’s etchings cover primarily Chennai, Madurai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. Showing mostly street scenes and architecture, the show comprises etchings by Peck.
Talking to CE in a email chat, Peck gives an insight into the printing technique.
“To create an etched piece, I coat a blank copper plate with wax and draw the image on the plate with a needle. As I draw, the needle scratches through the wax, exposing the copper. When the drawing is complete, I place the plate in an acid bath and the acid eats away (or etches) the exposed copper lines so my drawing is etched on to the plate. To print the plate, I cover the plate with ink, then wipe it carefully, cleaning the surface of the plate, but leave the ink in the etched lines. Next I cover the inked plate with a sheet of paper and run it through an etching press which forces the paper into the etched lines. When the paper is lifted from the plate it pulls the ink from the etched lines and creates a print,” he says. While etching is the primary medium he dabbles in, he also uses watercolours to hand colour the black and white etchings.
Born in Maharashtra, the 63-year-old artist has a strong connection with Tamil Nadu, as he was educated at Kodaikanal. After studying Biology in the US, he was introduced to art by his wife. He then studied printmaking and developing on his interest in drawing at a young age, he later started Bruce Peck Etchings in 1997 at Vermont.
“India has been and continues to be a big part of my life as I continue to live in Kodaikanal for half the year,” he adds.
A regular at exhibitions in Apparao Galleries, Peck calls India’s culture and architecture an eternal inspiration.
“Most of my work is landscapes of New England but I am also inspired by India, its people, culture, the bazaars and monuments,” he says.
Apparao Galleries and Sandy’s present ‘A Travelogue’ at Sandy’s (Cenotaph Road) - 2/15, Ganapathy Colony Main Rd, Teynampet and Sandy’s (Nungambakkam) — 16/2, Wallace Garden, 2nd Street, Nungambakkam, till August 25. For details, call 9941012386.