What is Funk Art?
In the 1960s, Funk Art emerged as a reactive movement against Abstract Expressionism. It was widely known as an anti-establishment movement, with the name derived from the jazz term funky. This term carried both positive and negative connotations: in the jazz world, it described passion, quirkiness, and sensuality, but it could also refer to a foul odor. Funk Art was particularly popular in the California Bay Area. While the artists of the Funk Art era shared similar attitudes and styles, they did not see themselves as part of a formal group or movement.
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Carborundum is the trademark name for silicon carbide crystals, an abrasive material commonly used in sandpaper, cutting tools, and grinding wheels. Originally, artists used carborundum for grinding lithography stones. In collagraph printmaking, it is applied to plates to create texture and tone gradients, adding depth and contrast to the prints.
Drypoint is an intaglio printmaking technique where an image is incised onto a plate using a sharp, pointed tool, typically a needle made of metal or diamond. Traditionally, copper plates were used, but today zinc, plexiglass, or acetate are also common. Drypoint is easier for drawing artists to master compared to engraving, as the needle technique resembles drawing with a pencil rather than the more complex burin used in engraving.
Ceramic is a term used to describe objects made from clay or other inorganic materials. These objects can be either decorative or functional and have been created since at least 4,000 B.C. Ceramic art involves making, decorating, and firing these objects in a kiln, a special high-temperature oven.
