Peter Doig - Maracas

Peter Doig’s Maracas is an etching and aquatint print depicting a solitary figure standing on a geometric, abstract building structure. Set amidst a lush tropical backdrop with two palm trees and distant mountains, the scene contrasts the stark, angular architecture with the organic forms of nature. Rendered in tones of green and black, the limited edition print, available for sale, evokes a sense of isolation and harmony, blending human-made and natural elements in a dreamlike composition.

Peter Doig, born in Edinburgh in 1959, is celebrated as one of the foremost contemporary painters, known for his ethereal and enigmatic artworks that blend figurative elements with abstract painting techniques. His paintings, characterized by dreamlike landscapes populated with figures and architectural forms, immerse viewers in scenes of profound beauty and emotional complexity. His figurative-abstract paintings and prints often evoke a range of emotions from melancholy to tranquility, embodying a subtle tension and solitude that Peter Doig articulates without a deliberate intention of creating a sinister atmosphere. Instead, he aims to weave narratives and evoke narrative threads through his canvases. Doig’s artistic process is notable for its integration of diverse source materials including found photographs, film stills, and personal childhood memories, which he transforms into the foundational elements of his paintings. This method allows him to effectively blur the lines between personal history, popular culture, and art historical influences, enriching his artwork with a layer of ambiguity that challenges the distinction between reality and imagination. In addition to his paintings, Doig’s oeuvre includes limited edition prints that carry the same haunting quality and attention to detail seen in his artworks. In his printmaking practice, Peter Doig is known to employ a diverse range of techniques such as etching, lithography, and monotype, allowing him to craft distinct interpretations of his larger paintings. His career was catapulted to international recognition early on when he was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1984. This recognition grew with a major retrospective at Tate Britain in 2008, which highlighted the evolution of his unique artistic vision and underscored his significant impact on the contemporary art scene. Through his paintings and fine art prints, Peter Doig continues to captivate and engage audiences, securing his place as a critical figure in the exploration of new boundaries within contemporary art.