Artwork Description
Filaments Owl Silkscreen Print by Andrew Ghrist Hand-Pulled on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Screenprint Artwork.
2013 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 70 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print
Filaments Owl Silkscreen Print by Andrew Ghrist
Andrew Ghrist is widely recognized for his highly detailed and intricately composed works that merge nature, industrial elements, and surrealism. His 2013 silkscreen print, Filaments Owl, is a hand-pulled, limited edition print of 70, measuring 18x24 inches. This piece is a striking example of street pop art & graffiti artwork, blending the natural and mechanical worlds through highly technical linework and layered storytelling.
Symbolism of the Owl and Filaments
Owls have long been associated with wisdom, mystery, and the unseen forces of the night, making them an ideal subject in Ghrist’s visual lexicon. In Filaments Owl, the bird is rendered with astonishing detail, its feathers meticulously layered with fine lines and shading. However, the environment surrounding the owl is what gives this piece its surrealist edge. The creature is perched among industrial filaments, crystal formations, and tangled wires, hinting at a fusion of organic and mechanical elements. Filaments, particularly lightbulb filaments, are a recurring motif in urban street pop art & graffiti artwork, symbolizing ideas, innovation, and the spark of creativity. The contrast between the owl’s natural form and the manufactured light sources suggests an exploration of the intersection between wisdom and technology, a theme frequently examined in modern pop surrealist movements.
Technique and Composition
Ghrist’s work is known for its masterful use of line weight and contrast, and Filaments Owl is no exception. The intricate layering of organic textures and structured industrial forms demonstrates his control over screenprinting as a medium, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with hand-pulled prints. The depth created through overlapping elements and refined shading makes the artwork feel almost three-dimensional. The monochromatic brown, gold, and sepia color palette enhances the aged, almost alchemical feel of the piece, making it resemble an ancient manuscript illustration mixed with urban decay elements. This muted yet bold aesthetic is characteristic of street pop art & graffiti artwork, where limited color palettes are often used to create high-contrast, visually arresting imagery.
Street Art and Pop Art Influence
Ghrist’s work fits seamlessly within street pop art & graffiti artwork, a movement that frequently blends hyper-detailed illustrations with themes of urban decay, nature, and industry. His line-intensive technique draws comparisons to classic etchings while incorporating modern street art aesthetics, resulting in a fusion of old-world craftsmanship and contemporary visual language. This piece could easily be imagined as a large-scale mural on an urban wall, where the juxtaposition of nature and industrialization resonates with themes of human expansion, environmental impact, and the delicate balance between progress and tradition. The inclusion of lightbulb filaments and power lines suggests a commentary on energy, knowledge, and how technology both illuminates and entangles the natural world.
Impact and Collectibility
Filaments Owl is part of Ghrist’s continued exploration of nature, decay, and industrial entanglement, themes that have made his prints highly sought after in the limited-edition street art and screenprinting communities. The combination of detailed craftsmanship, surrealist symbolism, and striking composition makes this print a defining example of contemporary street pop art & graffiti artwork. Its hand-pulled nature ensures that each print in the limited edition run is unique, further enhancing its value to collectors and fans of the medium. Andrew Ghrist’s work remains a testament to the fusion of traditional artistic methods with urban storytelling, using screenprinting as a powerful medium to push boundaries and redefine modern visual culture.
