Walton Ford
Peter Pettengill, printer
2004
Workshop: November 10-12, 2004
Walton Ford returned to Smith in 2004 for an informal Print Workshop with intaglio printer Peter Pettengill of Wingate Studios. During their three days in the Harnish Graphics studio, Walton and Peter began work on the multicolor etching and aquatint Condemned, which was completed in 2007.
An image of the now extinct (since 1918) Carolina Parakeet, the only native American parrot species, Condemned draws upon Ford’s deep engagement with naturalist drawing, as well as his interest in political and social history. When human encroachment destroyed its natural food source, the Carolina Parakeet began to feed upon local fruit crops. They were very easy to eradicate—when one of the flock was shot, the others would circle instead of flying to safety, allowing farmers to kill a great number of birds in a single afternoon.
Condemned incorporates a quote from the American serial killer Carl Panzram (1891-1930), who wrote to capital punishment protesters while on death row in 1929: “I wish that you all had one neck and that I had my hands on it.” After a lifetime of abuse, larceny, and violence, Panzram characterized himself as “meanness personified.”
Ford and Pettengill first worked together in 1998, completing a series of six large etchings (with six plates and many colors each) designed to resemble the size and scope of John James Audubon’s Birds of America. While smaller in size, Condemned shares the rich color, free drawing, and exquisite printing of Ford and Pettengill’s other collaborations.
Walton Ford. American, 1960 –
Etching and aquatint printed
in color on paper
Sheet: 21 1/2 in x 16 in;
Plate: 12 in x 9 in.