Michael Taylor
Michael Taylor studied Visual Communication Design at the University of Stellenbosch. Immediately after graduating in 2001 he entered a postgraduate Masters Degree programme at the same department, his research concentrating on image interpretation and semiotic studies for visual art. At the same time he began lecturing in Visual Communication at the University of Stellenbosch and also started partaking in exhibitions in the Cape Town region. He attained his MA in Visual Art (Cum Laude) in 2006 and currently holds a part-time lecturing post at Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography. Michael Taylor is actively involved in art-making and has already had two solo exhibitions at Whatiftheworld Gallery, which represents Michael, and a number of group shows at established galleries such as João Ferriera Gallery in Cape Town.
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2010 Monotypes
Grand entrance
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 4,200.00
Long winter
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 3,600.00
Predictable ending
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 3,600.00
Sucker for love
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 4,200.00
Crank
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 4,200.00
Sad ol’ silly
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 4,200.00
Sunshine boozy
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 4,200.00
Treat
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 3,600.00
Teddy
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cm
Price: R 3,600.00
Trick
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 3,600.00
Trouble
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 38 cmPrice: R 3,600.00
Radio moscow
2010
Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 38 x 53.5 cmPrice: R 3,600.00
The saint
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 38 x 53.5 cmPrice: R 3,600.00
The conductor
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 38 x 53.5 cmPrice: R 3,600.00
The pedlar
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 38 x 53.5 cmPrice: R 4,200.00
The pretender
2010
Monotype and Chine Collé on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 38 x 53.5 cmPrice: R 4,200.00
Calypso
2010
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 76 x 53.5 cmPrice: R 4,200.00
SOLD
Dead friend
2010
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 76 x 53.5 cmPrice: R 4,200.00
Impromptu holiday
2010
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 76 x 53.5 cmPrice: R 7,200.00
The honeymooner
2010
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 76 x 53.5 cmPrice: R 7,200.00
Lucky chap
2010
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53.5 x 76 cmPrice: R 6,400.00
Early morning spooky
2010
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 107 x 76 cmPrice: R 9,500.00
Much too much
2010
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 107 x 76 cmPrice: R 8,400.00
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Michael visited WE during October 2009 to make his second round of monotypes.
Michael had the following to say:
“Beginning October was my second time making monotypes at Warren Editions and again it was an absolute pleasure working in the WE printmaking environment. This time round I wanted to try make larger prints and explore the watercolour-based monotype process more vigorously. And even though the liquid watercolour medium is somewhat challenging to ‘see’, meaning, imagining the intensity and hue of the mark when it’s applied to the PVC sheet, the result was surprisingly pleasant. Zhané also cleverly devised a method to do away with full-page bleed ‘skid’ marks – which made me smile.
In terms of subject matter: all of the prints made during my week at WE form part of a larger theme that I’ve been working with since the beginning of this year, called ‘The tenacious tree huggers’. Of course, for me it’s not so much about the politics of sustainable living, but rather, a satirised view of the relationship between people and nature, exploring the nature of people, the façade of alternative living, and reading modern fables.”
Crocodile cheers
2009
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 54 x 76 cmPrice: R 7,200.00
Son of a gun
2009
Watercolour Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 107 x 76 cmPrice: R 9,500.00
The out-of-towner
2009
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 107 x 76 cmPrice: R 9,500.00
SOLD
The agony. The ecstacy.
2009
Watercolour Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 107 x 76 cmPrice: R 9,500.00
Unintentional fetish
2009
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 107 x 76 cmPrice: R 9,500.00
SOLD
Me and my big mussel
2009
Watercolour Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 76 x 54 cmPrice: R 6,200.00
SOLD
Seven day hangover
2009
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 76 x 54 cmPrice: R 4,500.00
Living the big apple
2009
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 76 x 54 cmPrice: R 4,500.00
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Michael made the following aquatint mezzotints in January 2009.
Michael had the following to say:
“I felt quite at ease with the image-making process of the aquatint mezzotints, because the mark reminded me of the activity of erasing when drawing; although burnishing is much more of a workout. And it was very refreshing to work in a reverse mode on a smaller scale, from pitch black to soft grey tones – the resulting perceptual lighting effect is too good for words. I find the atmosphere and drama of the light and dark play very attractive. Because of the nature of the mezzotint, these images have a rather quiet expressive quality, but I do see hints of modernism and surrealism in the two pictures.”
Insomniac Rendezvous
2009
Aquatint Mezzotint on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Edition of 20
Paper dimension: 53.5 x 43.5 cm
Image dimension: 39.2 x 29 cm
Price: R 2,200.00
Saturday with his mother
2009
Aquatint Mezzotint on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Edition of 20
Paper dimension: 39 x 29.4 cm
Image dimension: 20.3 x 14.3 cm
Price: R 1,200.00
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Michael visited WE during October 2008 to make his first monotypes.
Michael had the following to say about his experience of making monotypes:
“Nothing monotone about it… this process has reminded me about the activeness of print-making and that element of surprise that comes with drawing a translucent picture. The idea was to develop a series of prints that would be an extension of the themes I’m currently working with in my paintings, and, as a matter of fact, this holds true of the body of images made during the month of October. In many cases I’ve used illustrations from my drawing books as sketches for the monotypes, but also, there are examples of where the actual printing process was explored instead of plainly depicting a subject – the more abstract images show how experiments in layering and masking determined their outcome. I had a great time working in this medium and feel very comfortable with it being representative of my style.”
You’ve got the money
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 35,7 x 38 cm
Price: R 2,000.00SOLD
Take me to the river
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 42,5 x 37,5 cmPrice: R 2,000.00
Kry vir jou
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53,5 x 38 cmPrice: R 2,800.00
Against the clock
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53, 5 x 38 cmPrice: R 2,800.00
SOLD
Time machine
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 75,6 x 53,5 cmPrice: R 4,500.00
Passion fruit picture
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 75,6 x 53,5 cm Price:R 4,300.00
Sinking feeling
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 72,2 x 53,5 cmPrice: R 3,800.00
SOLD
Good as gold
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53,5 x 53 cmPrice: R 3,800.00
SOLD
Get a hold of this
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53,5 x 38 cmPrice: R 2,800.00
SOLD
One boy’s misfortune
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 75,6 x 53,5 cmPrice: R 5,200.00
Jesus was an illustrator
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 71,7 x 53,5 cmPrice: R 5,200.00
SOLD
At bay
2008
Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 53,5 x 75,7 cmPrice: R 5,200.00
Great Dane #1
2008
Watercolour Monotype on Zerkall Bütten 250gsm
Image dimension: 75,6 x 53,5 cmPrice: 4,000.00
Great Dane #2
2008
Watercolour Monotype on Somerset Textured Soft White 300gsm
Image dimension: 75 x 56,7 cmPrice: R 4,000.00
SOLD
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Michael collaborated with Warren Editions during May 2008 with printer Zhané Warren on a two-plate colour etching. The print collaboration with Michael is a co-publication with the Whatiftheworld Gallery.
The two-plate etching, entitled Lake Stymphalis floating aviary, was conceived as an image that would complement the tradition of intaglio techniques. Following the aesthetic language of classical prints, in which landscape and mythology are at play, the image depicts the legend of Arcadia’s man eating birds. In this case, the narrative has been subverted with the intention of retaining both mythological significance, as well as the tradition of orthodox book illustration.
Lake Stymphalis floating aviary
2008
Soft ground, spitbite, lift ground and water bite aquatints on Hahnemühle 300gsm
Edition of 20
Paper dimension: 66,5 x 51,5 cm
Image dimension: 28,9 x 31,3 cmPrice: R 2,500.00
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