Mel Bochner Amazing, 2018 is a striking oeuvre of vivid color and eye-catching text presented on an impressively large scale. The pigments of the works, which vary from glowing yellows to rich dark blues, are so magnificently saturated that it’s hard to look away from the work. The text, arranged in friendly sans-serrif majuscule letters, is as exciting as it is playfully irreverent. As astounding as this large-scale monoprint is from a distance, it gets all the more fascinating as the viewer examines it closer. The fibrous texture of the hand-made paper, dyed richly with varying pigments, stands in contrast with the thick layers of glossy paint topping each letter, which peaks in brightly colored dollops. To arrive at the text of the work, Bochner would choose words from a thesaurus, and arrange the words to fit a designated format, in this case, rectangle measuring roughly 29 inches tall and 20 inches wide. Bochner elaborates on his process, comparing it to “a sort of degeneration of language, as it moves from the more polite and formal to the more vulgar and bodily” (Bochner, A Conversation between Mel Bochner and Barry Schwabsky, Mel Bochner Monoprints, New York: Two Palms, 2012). Pure oil paint with strong pigmentation make up the lettering of this language based artwork. The glossy and thick impasto of the paint is raised in a painterly relief against the mat, and flat background of the collaged paper base, providing for a visually alluring contrast in texture.

Created in 2018, this unique Monoprint with collage, engraving and embossment on hand-dyed Twinrocker handmade paper is hand-signed and dated by Mel Bochner (Pittsburgh, 1940 - ) in pencil. Mel Bochner Amazing, 2018 is a unique and original work.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Mel Bochner Amazing, 2018 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonné and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Bochner, Mel. Monoprints: Mel Bochner: Words, Words, Words…New York: Two Palms, 2012. A similar monoprint in a different color and size listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 27.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Mel Bochner Amazing, 2018 is presented in a complementary moulding.