American Post War Kiki Smith Esperanza. 2015. paper collage with hologram paper over two-part colour etching each on Mylar paper, this laminated on firm Hahnemühle wove paper (with watermark). 90 x 60.5 cm (107 x 75.5 cm). Signed, dated, inscribed "AP" and numbered. - Isolated inconspicuous creases in the white margin only. Very good overall. Exceptionally splendid and brightly coloured print of the large-format image with unique collage. One of only 8 unique artist proof copies. - Ed. LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies, New York. - "Esperanza", the hope, the trust in a better future even in difficult or uncertain times. Smith's work of the same name from 2015 fits in with the artist's favourite themes such as the human body, in particular the female experience, but also nature and spirituality. - Smith deliberately divides the pictorial space into colours, creating a light and a dark. However, the separation does not persist and is broken by the iridescent drops placed fluidly across the entire pictorial space. Their strong visual presence almost seems to absorb us as viewers into the meditative interplay of the individual levels and invites us to familiarise ourselves with the deeper meaning. While we often associate drops with tears, the feeling of pain, sadness and transience, they also carry an incomparable clarity. With the work "Esperanza", Kiki Smith refers to the duality of life in an extremely sensitive way. A poetic reflection on life, on recognising beauty in small, everyday moments, as well as respecting fragility with a subtle yet equally powerful call to hope. Paper collage with holograph paper over two-part colour etching each on Mylar paper, this laminated on firm Hahnemühle wove paper. Signed, dated, inscribed "AP" and numbered. - Isolated inconspicuous box pleats in the white margin only. Very good overall. Exceptionally splendid and luminous impression of the large-format depiction with unique collaging. - One of only 8 unique Artist Proof copies. - Ed. LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies, New York. - 'Esperanza', the hope, the trust in a better future even in difficult or uncertain times. Smith's work of the same name from 2015 fits in with the artist's preferred subjects such as the human body, in particular the female experience, but also nature and spirituality. - Smith consciously divides the pictorial space into colours, creating a light and a dark. However, the separation does not persist and is transcended by the flowing, iridescent drops placed across the entire pictorial space. Their strong visual presence seems to almost absorb us as viewers into the meditative interaction of the individual surfaces and encourages us to recognise the deeper significance. While we often associate drops with tears, the feeling of pain, sadness and transience, they also carry an incomparable clarity. With the work 'Esperanza', Kiki Smith refers to the duality of life in an exceptionally delicate way. A poetic reflection on life, on recognising beauty in small, everyday moments, as well as appreciation of fragility with a subtle yet equally powerful call to hope. 4000