Once in an artistic generation, an individual will change the manner in which the material of their works is viewed and enjoyed by collectors. When I began my career in galleries 11 years ago, the chasm between original works and prints was vast. Originals so often equaled unreachable expense, where editions were reproduced onto paper and sealed behind reflective glass, in many instances losing the intricacies of the artist’s hand. Embellished editions were still in their relative infancy.
Once in an artistic generation, an individual will change the manner in which the material of their works is viewed and enjoyed by collectors. When I began my career in galleries 11 years ago, the chasm between original works and prints was vast. Originals so often equaled unreachable expense, where editions were reproduced onto paper and sealed behind reflective glass, in many instances losing the intricacies of the artist’s hand. Embellished editions were still in their relative infancy.
In the early stages of her endeavour, Kerry Darlington was quietly forging a name for herself with her beloved Tree of Life motif, inspired by Gustav Klimt in heady autumnal hues. Ever ambitious, ever the innovator Darlington sought ways to paint more complex and imaginative compositions exploring The Otherworld in all its guises from Nature’s Faeries to the Land of Oz. Inspired by the support of her early collectors, the artist visualised editions which would give the same enjoyment and impression as an original work. Never compromising, many months were spent developing the concept of a ‘unique edition’, a brand-new idea was going to take the contemporary art market by storm.
In the early stages of her endeavour, Kerry Darlington was quietly forging a name for herself with her beloved Tree of Life motif, inspired by Gustav Klimt in heady autumnal hues. Ever ambitious, ever the innovator Darlington sought ways to paint more complex and imaginative compositions exploring The Otherworld in all its guises from Nature’s Faeries to the Land of Oz. Inspired by the support of her early collectors, the artist visualised editions which would give the same enjoyment and impression as an original work. Never compromising, many months were spent developing the concept of a ‘unique edition’, a brand-new idea was going to take the contemporary art market by storm.
The first time I accepted delivery of Faerie Forest from her studio, I mistook it for an original work. One of the first editions made by the artist, the hand carved wooden 3D maple leaves stood proudly above the image and it was sealed in gloss resin; the use of which in art Darlington had pioneered several years earlier. Another was bought into the gallery by Darlington’s husband Cristhian – it was another Faerie Forest, but it wasn’t the same. The leaves were different colours with hand lined metallic ink, and in different placements. The unique edition was born.
Revolutionising both Darlington’s own creative process and the art market with it, the first unique editions were just a small sign of what was to follow. With every edition a fresh interpretation of the original work, each piece has the spirit of the artist’s vision within it. Recent works The Princess and the Pea and The Elixir of Love were fresh opportunities for the artist to tweak and play with colour and object.
The first time I accepted delivery of Faerie Forest from her studio, I mistook it for an original work. One of the first editions made by the artist, the hand carved wooden 3D maple leaves stood proudly above the image and it was sealed in gloss resin; the use of which in art Darlington had pioneered several years earlier. Another was bought into the gallery by Darlington’s husband Cristhian – it was another Faerie Forest, but it wasn’t the same. The leaves were different colours with hand lined metallic ink, and in different placements. The unique edition was born.
Revolutionising both Darlington’s own creative process and the art market with it, the first unique editions were just a small sign of what was to follow. With every edition a fresh interpretation of the original work, each piece has the spirit of the artist’s vision within it. Recent works The Princess and the Pea and The Elixir of Love were fresh opportunities for the artist to tweak and play with colour and object.
Wyecliffe Galleries offer the opportunity to pick your exact edition, to reflect that the first to the last piece is lavished with the same extraordinary attention to detail and imaginative re-interpretation. Proudly remaining the flagship gallery for the works of Kerry Darlington for over a decade, the entire team are never happier than on release date. Receiving over half of every edition for our collectors, when the artist’s husband Cristhian delivers the finished works to us it is a special day. We all rush into the studio, eager to start spotting the differences. For me, it reminds of that very first time of seeing a unique edition, and the spellbinding magic of owning a hand made piece from the world of Kerry Darlington.
Wyecliffe Galleries offer the opportunity to pick your exact edition, to reflect that the first to the last piece is lavished with the same extraordinary attention to detail and imaginative re-interpretation. Proudly remaining the flagship gallery for the works of Kerry Darlington for over a decade, the entire team are never happier than on release date. Receiving over half of every edition for our collectors, when the artist’s husband Cristhian delivers the finished works to us it is a special day. We all rush into the studio, eager to start spotting the differences. For me, it reminds of that very first time of seeing a unique edition, and the spellbinding magic of owning a hand made piece from the world of Kerry Darlington.
