“Subway Performer: the Mime”
2017 Presentation Print by Chee BRavo
"Subway Performer: the Mime", screenprint by Chee Bravo
Interview with Chee Bravo, printmaker and PCNJ Keyholder:
PCNJ: There’s always a story behind a work of art, what’s your story behind Subway Performer - The Mime?
Chee: “The Mime” is part of my ongoing subway performer series which began with my fixation with the NYC subway and Grand Central. The rhythm and controlled chaos of big city life is an experience like no other. Down in the grimy depths of the storied underground,
throngs of people are being herded by an invisible force. When the screeching stops, the wall of bodies stampede onto the platform in a mad rush to somewhere. Getting caught up in this flow is like being swept along in a riptide where resisting is futile. Along these throbbing arteries and their connecting hubs, one is often drawn to vibrating melodic sounds, so foreign to the surroundings. Performances delight, breaking the pace for all, many look, smile, give a dollar. That’s any hour in the New York subway! Many years after my first mind blowing New York subway experience I’m back in the subway capturing a sliver of the goings on. My ongoing Subway Performer series is a combination of serigraphs and paintings from computer manipulation of photos taken, photography and videos.
PCNJ: What challenges did you encounter while doing the edition of the work?
Chee: I encountered several challenges before and during the editioning of the Mime. Prior to printing, my initial challenge was to create an engaging imagery with only three layers versus the typical seven to ten layers I’d been used to. Also, printing an edition of 30+ seemed daunting since my prior editions had been limited to just 10 impressions. While printing the copper ink to which retarder was added, the screen had to be wiped clean several times. Then, the sepia plate did not produce the desired details, and the tone was too light. The sepia screen was reburned to capture more detail and the tone made darker. Finally, the image for the black screen was reworked in Photoshop in order to create a stronger connection to hold the image together.
PCNJ: Now that the Presentation Print is completed, what is your next printing goal? Do you have any upcoming shows scheduled?
Chee: Now that the Presentation Print is completed my next immediate printing goal is to print on fabric which will be part of my multimedia installation “A Zygote Garden”. This installation will be on show at the 2017 Chashama GALA benefit at 4 Times Square, NYC in June. I am also working on a multimedia solo exhibition which will include my Subway Performers and Grand Central serigraphs at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, NY next summer.
PCNJ: Chee, tell us what led you to the fine art of printmaking?
Chee: I learned the art of silkscreen in 2013 at the Printmaking Center of NJ, and have been using the media along with my formal lithographic training and skill as a graphic designer to create my Subway Performers and Grand Central imagery. I received my BFA in printmaking from Florida International University. I’ve received several awards including The Betty Laird Perry Purchase Award. My works are in the Florida International University’s permanent collection, the Brooklyn Art Library, Brooklyn, NY and private collections.
PCNJ: And, now, Chee, we can add Subway Performer-The Mime to our own archived, permanent print collection. Thank you very much for a beautiful edition. We are proud and honored to share your work with our valued supporters.
PCNJ: There’s always a story behind a work of art, what’s your story behind Subway Performer - The Mime?
Chee: “The Mime” is part of my ongoing subway performer series which began with my fixation with the NYC subway and Grand Central. The rhythm and controlled chaos of big city life is an experience like no other. Down in the grimy depths of the storied underground,
throngs of people are being herded by an invisible force. When the screeching stops, the wall of bodies stampede onto the platform in a mad rush to somewhere. Getting caught up in this flow is like being swept along in a riptide where resisting is futile. Along these throbbing arteries and their connecting hubs, one is often drawn to vibrating melodic sounds, so foreign to the surroundings. Performances delight, breaking the pace for all, many look, smile, give a dollar. That’s any hour in the New York subway! Many years after my first mind blowing New York subway experience I’m back in the subway capturing a sliver of the goings on. My ongoing Subway Performer series is a combination of serigraphs and paintings from computer manipulation of photos taken, photography and videos.
PCNJ: What challenges did you encounter while doing the edition of the work?
Chee: I encountered several challenges before and during the editioning of the Mime. Prior to printing, my initial challenge was to create an engaging imagery with only three layers versus the typical seven to ten layers I’d been used to. Also, printing an edition of 30+ seemed daunting since my prior editions had been limited to just 10 impressions. While printing the copper ink to which retarder was added, the screen had to be wiped clean several times. Then, the sepia plate did not produce the desired details, and the tone was too light. The sepia screen was reburned to capture more detail and the tone made darker. Finally, the image for the black screen was reworked in Photoshop in order to create a stronger connection to hold the image together.
PCNJ: Now that the Presentation Print is completed, what is your next printing goal? Do you have any upcoming shows scheduled?
Chee: Now that the Presentation Print is completed my next immediate printing goal is to print on fabric which will be part of my multimedia installation “A Zygote Garden”. This installation will be on show at the 2017 Chashama GALA benefit at 4 Times Square, NYC in June. I am also working on a multimedia solo exhibition which will include my Subway Performers and Grand Central serigraphs at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, NY next summer.
PCNJ: Chee, tell us what led you to the fine art of printmaking?
Chee: I learned the art of silkscreen in 2013 at the Printmaking Center of NJ, and have been using the media along with my formal lithographic training and skill as a graphic designer to create my Subway Performers and Grand Central imagery. I received my BFA in printmaking from Florida International University. I’ve received several awards including The Betty Laird Perry Purchase Award. My works are in the Florida International University’s permanent collection, the Brooklyn Art Library, Brooklyn, NY and private collections.
PCNJ: And, now, Chee, we can add Subway Performer-The Mime to our own archived, permanent print collection. Thank you very much for a beautiful edition. We are proud and honored to share your work with our valued supporters.
Previous Presentation Prints
