Chaplin was born in 1943 and studied first at the Watford College of Art followed by a postgraduate degree in printmaking at Brighton College of Art. Early on he became an associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers (RE). Most of his etchings are landscapes and coastal scenes especially of boats, some of his works are very abstract. Later in his career he became increasingly active as a watercolourist and in 1993 became an associate of the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS). His watercolours have similar themes though tend to be more focused on architectural studies. Chaplin has taught at several schools and colleges, he has written two books and featured as art expert on the Channel 4 programme ‘Watercolour Challenge’. He lives in Maidstone, Kent.
This great aquatint etching dates from 1976 and shows his skill as an excellent printmaker. It is titled ‘Lock Gate II’ and was printed in an edition of 75. It is a highly stylised etching. The large imposing brown gates of a lock are almost unrecognisable as such and have taken on a complex sculptural form. The contrast between the maroon coloured gates and the blueish-grey sky provide extra interest without making the print too colourful. The variety of intricate patterns on display in the print echo various themes popular at that time though none of them dominate the etching. Chaplin has managed to create here an artwork that is both visually stunning and highly decorative.
Comments