The celebration of the rich tradition of screen printing in the 20th and 21st centuries as a means of artistic expression, from its commercial roots in 1920s America to the limited edition screen prints of the post-war period and today, by artists such as Andy Warhol, Bridget Riley, and Damien Hirst. Screenprints: A History, the first title in the new V&A series on the history and practice of printing, is a celebration of the applications of screen printing as fine art, from the commercial roots of the screen printing process in 1920s America, its defining role in the Pop and Op art of the 1960s among artists like Andy Warhol and Bridget Riley, to its adoption by Damien Hirst and the YBAs of the 1990s, as well as its persistent presence in contemporary art.

This beautifully designed, strikingly illustrated introduction will appeal to art lovers and practicing artists everywhere. The roots of the screen printing process are introduced through early artistic predecessors, such as stencil and pochoir printing in the creation of Jazz by Henri Matisse and other art books. Screen printing has become one of the most significant techniques in the rise of limited edition fine art prints since the 1960s, with renowned artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Eduardo Paolozzi, as well as contemporary artists like Damien Hirst, who engage with the commercial roots of the medium and, conversely, its potential for a handmade aesthetic.

Particular attention is given to lesser-known names who found ways to use screen printing in fine art in the UK, the US, and Europe, including Francis Carr and Ben Shahn, while tracing its global spread through Africa, the Caribbean, and Australia. An illustrated, step-by-step guide to the practical process further enriches this multifaceted account. This democratic medium has clearly lent itself to spontaneous graphic protest, particularly in the posters of Atelier Populaire created in Paris in 1968, included here and incorporating the unique qualities of screen printing, its rich colors, and graphic impact.

Pages: 272, Year of Publication: 0327, Dimensions: 20x20cm