Charmin

Printmaking on paper roll
15cm x 15cm x 20cm

Reflecting on the ridiculousness of the toilet paper shortage of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, my creativity took over this piece as it progressed. After engraving my sketch onto the lino, I decided to print this onto the napkin roll in our art room, to mimic the design appearing to be on a larger scale toilet paper roll. Between the tearable creases of the roll, I repeatedly printed the design in three different colours, emulating the effect of Andy Warhol's famed screen printing. The valuable commodity that toilet paper became in early 2021 is illustrated and mocked through this work. Charmin is also an interactive experience, as gallery walkers may tear and keep a piece of the toilet paper, paralleling how you may purchase toilet paper at the store.