‘The Amazing World of MC Escher’ at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh (Modern Two) 27th Jun- 27th Sep 2015

MC Escher, 1943, Reptiles, Lithograph, Available at: http://www.mcescher.com/gallery/back-in-holland/reptiles/

MC Escher, 1948, Drawing Hands, Lithograph, Available at: http://www.mcescher.com/gallery/mathematical/drawing-hands/

This exhibition comprised nearly 100 prints and drawings by the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher from across his career. He primarily made woodcuts and lithographs but was also commended for his mezzotints. In his early work he focused on printmaking techniques and created natural representations of his subject matter. As his style developed his thoughts and ideas became of primary importance over his choice of media and his technical skills were used to realise his imaginary visions.

MC Escher, 1953, Relativity, Lithograph, Available at: http://www.mcescher.com/gallery/back-in-holland/relativity/

MC Escher, 1956, Smaller and Smaller, wood engraving and woodcut in black and brown, printed from four blocks, Available at: http://www.mcescher.com/gallery/recognition-success/smaller-and-smaller/

Some of Escher’s works contain illusions as seen in ‘Reptiles’ and ‘Drawing Hands’ while other pieces have several perspectives and vanishing points as seen in ‘Relativity’. These images cannot be understood at first glance. The artist makes us question what we are seeing and some elements are hidden within the compositions encouraging us to take a closer look. As a viewer these prints are engaging and hold my interest. His style reminded me of Dali’s surrealist paintings, which were highly realistic and precisely executed but imaginative and impossible at the same time.