Price: €3080
Paper, Ink, Printing Press
This is my original hand-pulled print, “Gamer.” With this piece, I wanted to explore the intense relationship between our digital lives and the unstoppable passage of time, a theme I’ve experienced firsthand. I used a combination of copperplate engraving, mezzotint, and drypoint to create the stark contrast and intimate mood I envisioned. My Inspiration and Intent: I designed this scene to feel both intimate and claustrophobic. A young man is lost to his screen, but he’s not alone. For me, it was crucial that the skeleton wasn’t just a passive observer. I posed him as a silent guide, his arm draped over the gamer’s shoulder and his hand close to the keyboard, as if subtly influencing every click. He is the physical embodiment of time itself, whispering the temptations of “just one more game” as our real lives wait. This print is born from my own memories of spending entire school breaks on 16-hour gaming marathons. It’s a reflection on that grind—the hunt for XP and gear—and a question of what was truly gained while so much time passed by. A Hidden Message: To leave no doubt about my message, I engraved a short poem directly into the copper plate, hidden within the velvety black of the background: “My IRL body, an NPC shell, A sweaty gamer, in XP hell. A grind for gear, a meaningless goal, My real-world progress, forever on hold.” This work is my call to action: a reminder to focus on our progress in the real world (IRL). To put energy into our health, our minds, and our skills. To become a slightly better version of ourselves each day. Details: Title: Gamer Artist: Reinis Gailītis Year: 2025 Techniques: Copperplate engraving, mezzotint, drypoint Ink: I use high-quality, oil-based intaglio ink. Paper: Printed on archival, heavy-weight cotton paper. Edition: This is a limited edition of 150 prints. Signature: I personally hand-pull, title, number, and sign every print. Please note: Because I create each print by hand, there will be minor variations in the inking, which makes every piece a unique work of art. Gamer, Copper Engraving, Mezzotint, Drypoint, 2025. Print size 20x20cm, 7.9×7.9in paper size ~23x23cm, 9x10in. Printed on Hahnemühle Copperplate 300gr “Antique” German mould-made archival quality paper.
