In 1995 Wallace created a portfolio of twelve etchings dedicated to our fascination with the TV soap opera. This work is satirical, reflecting a particular obsession in contemporary culture. The large numbers of naked figures in the prints is perhaps an excuse to re-purpose some of his early life drawings as a student. The image of the woman reclining on the chaise longue is certainly taken from a lithograph he made in 1954. Reading the titles of the prints you will also notice that this is a book of hours — perhaps a veiled nod to early illuminated devotional books.
#140 - Summer Shadows Summer Dreams Portfolio Cover, Twelve Etchings by George Wallace, 1995, etching, 18 x 13 cm.
and #141 - The Kiss, decoration on title page,
7 x 9.5 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#141 - A Disagreement, decoration on inside fold, 1995, etching, 8 x 10.5 cm.#143 - Self Portrait with Dark Glasses, 1995, etching & aquatint, 22 x 13 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#144 - Morning Toilet, plate #1, 1995, etching, 27.5 x 17.4 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#145 - Breakfast, plate #2, 1995, etching & aquatint, 24.9 x 21.5 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#146 - Sunlit Morning, plate #4, 1995, etching, 25 x 20 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#147 - Siesta, plate #5, 1995, etching & aquatint, 20 x 27.5 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#148 - Early Afternoon, plate #6, 1995, etching, 19.5 x 27.3 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#149 - Afternoon, plate #7, 1995, etching & aquatint, 18 x 27.5 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#150 - Happy Hour, plate #8, 1995, etching, 27.3 x 17.8 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#151 - Philosophic Discussion, plate #9, 1995, etching & aquatint, 22 x 21.8 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#152 - Evening Meal or the Apotheosis of TV, plate #10, 1995, etching & aquatint, 30.8 x 19.5 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#153 - The Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is Weak, plate #11, 1995, etching & aquatint, 26.8 x 14.5 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland#154 - Day of Reckoning, plate #12, 1995, etching, 27.5 x 14.5 cm. —
image ⓒ National Gallery of Ireland