Social Morays

This engraving by Rhyll Plant from 2004, Social Morays, was made from a single wood block, also in the Museum Victoria collection. The sense of movement and life in this design, ironically has come from the manner and jar in which it was preseserved. In this case the specimen, also in Museum Victoria's collection was illustrated from multiple viewpoints to achieve the entwined final design. Plant, a former Museum collection manager, draws on a rich tradition of scientific illustration in her practice. The making of of her artworks is an integrated process, resulting from the blending of printed imagery that draws its stimulus from the natural world with the literary components of language and wit. While they are visually less obvious, these cognitive elements nevertheless play a role of equal significance to the wood engraving as they are intended to prompt intellectual and emotional response. Here she plays on the common name of her subjects, Moray Eels. Parts of the animalshave less definition than others, whichfocuses the viewer�s eye on the detailed heads.