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"Fly" by William Kent, (Amer., 1919-2012)
Slate Print, 1963, Ed. unknown several exist on various fabrics, circular with a diameter of 9-5/8", signed and dated in black ballpoint pen on floral patterned fabric. Kent was fascinated by the diversity of life we share our planet with, and often expressed his outrage when mankind destroyed complete habitats without regard for species which had existed there peacefully for thousands of years prior. The fantastic forms of sea life and insects fascinated him in particular, and early on he celebrated the beauty of their complex forms in a series of large carvings as well as in many of his slate prints. "Fly" is one of his smaller prints, but by his inventive use of patterned fabrics, Kent achieved striking color effects highlighting the symmetry and intricacy of their form, enlightening us to perceive beauty where before we had only seen a common nuisance.