Michael Meszaros (OAM), an esteemed sculptor and medallist, renowned for his extensive body of public and private works, serves as a compelling subject for an environmental portrait. His achievements include being honoured as the Grand Prix winner by the International Art Medal Federation in the 2021 Biennial, and numerous awards in Australian and international competitions. He has works in many local and international collections, including the British Museum, the US, Belgium, Japan and Papua New Guinea. Through the depiction of the artist’s engagement with his environment the portrait becomes a visual narrative with the studio surroundings emerging as an active participant in the storytelling process. The contextual landscape becomes more than a backdrop, it interacts with the artist, enhancing their presence and reinforcing their connection to their environment.
Also known as Giclee prints or bubble-jet prints, pigment ink-jet prints are generated by computer printers from digital or scanned files using dye-based or pigment-based inks. A series of nozzles spray tiny droplets of ink onto the paper surface in a precise pattern that corresponds to the digital image file. In dye-based prints the ink soaks into the paper, whereas in pigment-based prints the ink rests and dries on top of the paper surface.
Whilst the term is broad, pigment ink-jet prints have come to be associated with prints produced on fine art papers. They are the most versatile and archival method of printing available to photographers today. A wide variety of material on which an image can be printed with such inks are available, including various textures and finishes such as matte photo paper, watercolour paper, cotton canvas or pre-coated canvas.
