Artwork
Collage 1
Collage 1 is a print by Irune Oriñuela. It dates from 2008 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Collage 1 is a printed work that arranges three overlapping figures against a vivid backdrop of pink, blue and orange. The composition juxtaposes a stylised portrait of Audrey Hepburn, a bald male figure and a second woman whose pale visage is marked by a striking pink stripe. The overall effect is graphic and layered, drawing the eye across the interlocking silhouettes.
Subject & Meaning
The print presents two women in close proximity: one dressed in a dark gown, her hair pulled back and a necklace accentuating her neckline; the other with a near‑transparent face, highlighted by a vertical pink band. A long‑tailed bird of orange and black perches on the latter’s shoulder, adding a surreal element that hints at themes of companionship and transformation.
Technique & Style
Bold, saturated colours are outlined in stark black, giving the image a flat, cartoon‑like quality. The facial features are rendered with minimal lines, yet the large eyes and smooth contours convey clear expression. This graphic approach emphasizes the interplay of colour and line, characteristic of contemporary collage printmaking.
Context
Produced as a print, Collage 1 aligns with a tradition of pop‑inspired graphic art that merges popular cultural icons with abstracted forms. Its use of recognizable figures such as Hepburn alongside anonymous characters reflects a dialogue between celebrity imagery and everyday visual motifs.
Artist & collection
Artist
Irune Oriñuela’s small collages mix everyday papers into layered prints like tiny still lifes.
