Intaglio Printmaker Prize Winner: Xinhao Song

Please could you tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind the work? 

This work is inspired by my personal life experiences. The branches and ropes depicted in this piece serve as symbolic imagery, metaphorically representing the constraints and limitations imposed on my body and mind under certain pressures. To some extent, the ropes help me maintain my current state, allowing me to stay balanced amid instability; yet at the same time, they also act as a binding force, preventing me from completely breaking free. 

What made you get into printmaking? 

For me, the appeal of printmaking lies first in the sense of mystery and anticipation that arises the moment the ‘veil’ is lifted, compelling one to explore again and again. What has truly kept me committed to it over the years, however, is its efficiency in conveying ideas. I never regard printmaking merely as a technique or a surface-level method; rather, I see it as a mode of thinking that offers both the creator and the audience a broad space for reflection. Its reproducibility and low-cost production, in particular, allow my concepts to be widely disseminated, reaching more people and thereby more easily inspiring collective contemplation. 

 Tell us about your other works – are they similar or different? Do you tend to work within one technique?

Over the past year, my practice has been almost entirely focused on the exploration and application of the mezzotint technique, and consequently, most of my works are presented in this form. Compared to other techniques, the deep blacks and subtle interplay of light and shadow that mezzotint produces align closely with the atmosphere I aim to convey – a sense of repression and tension, yet with an underlying inner energy.

Although the visual language of my works remains relatively consistent, the content varies according to different inspirations and emotions. Some pieces revolve around death anxiety and the escape into dreams, while others explore mental constraints and oppression through fragments of the body, natural elements, or symbolic imagery. These themes are interconnected, reflecting my personal experiences and psychological states, yet I employ varied symbolic approaches to ensure that each work maintains its individuality within a shared framework. 

I prefer working with mezzotint printmaking because both its process and resulting effects perfectly align with the emotions and themes I wish to convey. While I have experimented with different mediums in the past, the deep tones, layered interplay of light and shadow, and the slow, gradual grinding process of mezzotint better suit my creative rhythm and help me enter a focused state. This technique allows me to ‘discover’ light step by step within darkness, a sensation that resonates closely with the core emotions of my work. 

What would be on your ultimate Intaglio Printmaker wish list?

I hope to add a variety of burnishers to my toolkit, as I have found during the creative process that the type of burnisher directly affects the delicacy and expressiveness of the image. Different burnishers can produce lines of varying thickness and texture, giving me greater control and flexibility when shaping light, shadow, and detail. This is especially important in mezzotint, as many subtle emotional nuances are conveyed precisely though these subtle details.

If you could own one artwork, what would it be?

I would choose an original etching by Rembrandt. His mastery of light and shadow, along with his psychological portrayal of figures, continues to leave me deeply impressed. Being able to physically touch the lines engraved and feel the distance of history and breath would be an incredibly meaningful experience.