Skinner: 1944 (USA)

The Artist:

Deborah Skinner was born in Minnesota in 1944. A master printer and draftsman, Skinner began her study of fine art at Boston University, where in 1967 she earned a B.A. in Art History. She continued the study of art in Europe focusing on studio art, particularly drawing and painting. In Florence Italy, 1968-69, Skinner added the art of mosiacs to her study. And, in London England at The City and Guilds of London Art School 1969-72 she developed her interests in printmaking, specializing in etching. Skinner completed fine art Graduate Studies in 1973-75 at Vancouver School of Design, and direclty therereafter returned to London where she established her fine art professional career.

In subject matter and stylistic expression, Deborah Skinner's art has been and remains strongly influenced by her unusual, intense, and widely publicized early childhood experiences. Her father was the world famous psychologist B.F. Skinner who invented the Skinner 'Baby Box', and Deborah Skinner was the first baby raised in it.

B.F. Skinner, the son of an Englishman, was educated and raised in USA. The recipient of numerous scholarly awards, degrees and grants, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Ph.D. from Harvard, Skinner had one of the most profound infuences on American Behaviorism. The most controversial of his work involved the 'Baby Box', a proposed alternative to the crib. Glass fronted, it was a climate controlled cabinet in which a baby lived being removed for changing and cuddles, feeding and bathing. Nylon fabric stretched across the bottom of the box - in hammock-like fashion - designed to catch excess liquids from the child, allowing it to drip through the cloth into a pan. Openings covered with fine mesh netting, protected the baby against flying insects.

The 'Baby Box' which became popular for a time in the 50's and 60's, was Deborah's sleeping space for the first 2 1/2 years of her life. Her life in the 'Baby Box' was written about in medical journals, world newspapers, and popular magazines such as America's Life Magazine. In a Ladies Home Journal interview B.F. Skinner reported happy experiences. Many hundreds of babies subsequently have been reaised in what is now called the 'Air Crib'. Criticism as well as predicitions and tales of dire consequences have not been supported.

With facination we remark that Deborah Skinner's contemporary art expressions appear to represent visions seen through 'glass prisms' - perhaps reflections reminiscent of infant window views. This esoteric art is recognized by the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and the Royal Academy, where Skinner has exhibited extensively. The Arts Club in Vancouver, Studio Galleries in London and Hampstead also have exhibited her work. Among prizes awarded for her unique talent is the Graphics Prize, from Vancouver's Event Magazine. Skinner's work first captured international audiences in 1976 when Anima Graphics, today known as London Contemporary Art Gallery, exhibited her work at the first American International Art Fair, in Washington D.C. Subsequently her work has been displayed at USA Artexpo, in New York and California.

The Art:

Landscapes in the etchings below, although representing British countryside, are timeless expressions of universal space. They are expanses that appear to reach far beyond actual representations. The unique use of line and space create mystery in which images appear to reflect themselves, folding inwards and outwards. As though reflected onto interior dressing room screens these landscape views seem to pass through glass. The compositions are reminescent of prisms and mosaics - apparent important aspects integrated into Deborah Skinner's world vision. Stylistically, Deborah Skinner's work handsomely blends good design and perfected printmaking skills.

Contact us to see other Skinner work, including Cheltons and British Plane Fields.

Skinner131 Skinner. Openland. 89/90 Etching. The paper size is 21" x 24". The etching was acquired in 1979. The artwork is signed and numbered in pencil. The dark side of the photograph was created in the photographic process. It is not a dark area in the print. The left margin has a crease in the center portion. The margins have some slight handling creases. Other than what is described above, the artwork, margins and art surface are in excellent condition. Close-Up | Closer $485.

Skinner132 Skinner. Plane Field. 4/90 Etching. The paper size is 21" x 24". The etching was acquired in 1979. The artwork is signed and numbered in pencil. The dark side of the photograph was created in the photographic process. It is not a dark area in the print. Aside from the some slight handling creases in the margins, the artwork, margins and art surface is in excellent condition. Close-Up | Closer $485.

Skinner133 Skinner. Road to Oxfordshire. 44/90 Etching. The paper size is 21" x 24". The etching was acquired in 1979. The artwork is signed and numbered in pencil. The dark side of the photograph was created in the photographic process, by the deckle edge of the paper. It is not a dark area in the print. There is a crease in the top of the left margin and other slight handling creases in the margin. Otherwise, the artwork, margins and art surface are in excellent condition. Close-Up | Closer $485.

Contact us to see other Skinner works, including Cheltons and British Plane Fields.

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