Artwork
Flounder
Flounder is a print by Bing Dawe. It dates from 2004 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Bing Dawe’s 2004 etching titled “Flounder” forms part of a set of twenty‑four prints produced for the SOFA Print Project. The work presents a pair of flatfish rendered side by side against a uniform background, emphasizing their contrasting tones and surface qualities.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two flounder oriented toward the right, their tails pointing left. The left‑hand fish is rendered in darker tones with a more pronounced, grainy surface, while the right‑hand fish appears lighter and smoother. The juxtaposition invites consideration of duality, light versus dark, texture versus smoothness, within a single species.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, the piece relies on incised lines and varying acid bites to achieve the differing textures of the two fish. The flat, elongated bodies and minimal background are characteristic of Dawe’s restrained graphic approach, allowing the subtle tonal shifts to dominate the visual field.
History & Provenance
Created in 2004, “Flounder” was included in the SOFA Print Project, a collaborative initiative that commissioned a series of prints from contemporary artists. The work remains documented as part of that limited series, reflecting the project’s focus on printmaking as a medium for contemporary expression.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bing (Brian) Dawe is a New Zealand artist and sculptor. His art typically embraces significant environmental issues.
