Sea Collage Appraisal

Autumn Sea, Gyotaku Collage by Celia Stapleton

This item is a mixed media collage artwork titled "Autumn Sea, Gyotaku collage" by Celia Stapleton, created around 1998. The central elements of the piece are two gyotaku (fish rubbings) prints of what appear to be dark-colored fish, possibly pompano or a similar species, rendered in shades of black, blue, and green, with some lighter yellow or white accents on their bodies. Overlaid on the fish are textured squares of green material, contributing to the 'collage' aspect. The background is a cream or light tan paper, adorned with abstract swirling patterns in green and brown or gold, reminiscent of water or organic forms. Various smaller elements are collaged onto the background, including real or reproduced postage stamps from different countries, some depicting birds or other creatures. There are also sections of patterned decorative papers integrated into the composition, featuring floral motifs, geometric designs, and wavy borders in colors like purple, gold, and red. Handwritten text in black ink is prominently featured on the right side, quoting a haiku attributed to Bashō: "The Sea – This autumn / The evening is green, / The rice field / Is green, / As the sky." A small, stylized green fish drawing is visible on the lower left. The entire piece seems to be mounted on a solid board or canvas and is likely protected by a clear coating, giving it a somewhat glossy appearance. The edges show slight wear consistent with its age, but overall, the piece appears to be in good condition with vibrant colors and intact components. The craftsmanship is indicative of a thoughtful and layered approach to artmaking, blending traditional Japanese printmaking techniques with contemporary collage elements.