Vivian Suter, Tintin and Bonzo, 2020

Vivian Suter generously created a limited edition silkscreen print especially for Tate in relation to the exhibition, Vivian Suter at Tate Liverpool, 13 December 2019 – 15 March 2020.

Suter’s work is inspired by the tropical landscape of Panajachel in Guatemala, where she lives and works. Her studios are open-air wooden structures located amid the lush rainforest. Here, the backdrop of trees, vibrant flowers, and sounds of tropical birds serves as inspiration for Suter’s abstract paintings. The colours, motifs, and movement of her brushstrokes are influenced by organic shapes, with a palette that ranges from various shades of green to dominant reds and yellows. Her limited edition for Tate recreates one of her nature-inspired abstract paintings in the medium of silkscreen on Khadi cotton paper. The texture and deckled edges of the handmade cotton paper captures the essence of the loose canvas material that Vivian normally paints on. Like her paintings, the orientation of the print can either be vertical or horizontal.

The environment plays an important role in the making and development of her work. She leaves her artwork outdoors to be exposed to the elements so that natural substances, such as volcanic and botanical matter, are incorporated into the work. Occasionally, remnants of the surrounding landscape can be found in her paintings – leaves or twigs congealed onto batches of thick paint, or imprints of her dog’s paws. Her dogs often interact with her work, such as walking across or sitting on the paintings. The title of the limited edition, Tintin and Bonzo, references the names of her dogs.

Edition of 40, each print is signed and numbered by the artist.

Prices of the artwork are liable to change. As a limited edition sells out, prices of the artwork are subject to increase and the price will be clearly indicated.

About the Artist
Vivian Suter (b. 1949, Buenos Aires, Argentina) has had solo exhibitions around the world, including Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía Madrid, SP (2020), Brücke Museum, Berlin, DE (2020), Camden Arts Centre, London, UK (2020), ICA Boston, Boston, US (2019), Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean, LU (2019), Gladstone Gallery, New York, US (2019) and The Power Plant, Toronto, CA (2019). Recent group exhibition include All of Them Witches, Deitch Projects, Los Angeles, US (2020), En Plein Air, High Line, New York, US (2019), Contemporary Art: Five Propositions, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, US (2019) and Art Basel Cities: Buenos Aires, Ex Cervecería Munich, Buenos Aires, AT (2018).

Her work is included in several institutional collections, including Tate Collection, London, Contemporary Art Museum of Luxembourg, Art Institute of Chicago, Jewish Museum, New York, and Guggenheim Museum, New York.

• Artist Vivian Suter
• Artwork Tintin and Bonzo
• Exhibition Vivian Suter at Tate Liverpool, 13 December 2019 – 15 March 2020
• Dimensions 40 x 30 cm
• Material Silkscreen print on handmade Khadi cotton paper
• Edition Edition of 40, signed and numbered
• Date of work 2020