The Exchange

Screenprint – unmounted, unframed

Image size: 550mm x 550mm

Paper size: 705mm x 690mm

Edition size: 75

From the series of fourteen prints by Clive Hicks-Jenkins, editioned by The Penfold Press, based on the medieval poem 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'.

Author and curator James Russell describes Clive's depiction of The Exchange:

"According to the poem Gawain inhabits a landlocked world of mountains and forests; he travels on horseback, not by boat. But here is a ship, apparently at anchor beneath the walls of Fair Castle, where our hero and his host exchange gifts. Bertilak has returned from the hunt with a magnificent stag (its gaping chest reminding us of the mortal danger Gawain faces), while Gawain has accepted one kiss from Bertilak’s wife. This he now presents to his host, who leans down over him in his splendidly patterned jacket – a magician’s cloak?"