Bianco Ximena (XX) - Inverted

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

This work represents a small rebellion against the idea that architectural drawings are supposed to be ‘constructible’... This is a subversion of this principle, representing a structure that, despite its highly technical appearance, is a purely sculptural object.

Technique: Etchings and aquatints on copper plate

ARTISTIC STATMENT

Ximena is an architect, fascinated by the expressive potential of printmaking. She adapts traditional drafting tools such as set squares and compasses to etch copper plates instead of paper, both directly (drypoint) or indirectly (using hard-ground and soft-ground varnishes and ferrous oxide bite). In this resourceful way, she translates traditional architectural representation techniques to the medium of etching with utmost precision, but also with the added texture and surprises intrinsic to printmaking. Ximena’s work is a reflection on the freedom of geometries and imagined built environments that need not translate into buildable or inhabitable structures. The resulting artworks are haunting abstractions, delivered with the quality and skill of architectural draftsmanship, an art long lost to CAD software.


ABOUT THE ARTIST

Ximena holds an Architecture diploma from University College London, has practised extensively as an architect in the UK and Spain, and received training in etching techniques in Australia and more recently Spain, imparted by the now retired master printmaker of the Fundación Joan Miró in Mallorca. Ximena is an early career artist, and has participated in a number of local exhibitions in Spain, as well as exhibited as part of the WCPF’s Curated Hang in 2023.