Opus 5 (aka The Constellations), 1950

As the inscription suggests, this print was presented by the artist to Jim Ede as a gift in 1952. They had first met in Paris in the early 1920s.

Gabo began to make monoprints in 1950, continuing until 1973. A monoprint differs from an editioned print in that, although the block is the same, changes in inking, colouring and orientation make each impression unique.

There are some obvious affinities between Gabo’s prints and sculptures. In both, weightless forms appear to float in space. Here the translucent Japanese paper creates visual effects akin to those of the Perspex often used by the artist for his sculptures.