Atelier Kapnos

Art studio in The Hague

Ampersand

kapnissi

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August 11, 2025

& 8 linocuts on Japanese Paper

Small, hand-printed linocuts on Tosa Shi (54 g), in black and red. The theme is the typographic symbol ampersand – a symbol of connection of two elements. Yet in the prints and their titles the first element is missing. The viewer is invited to imagine it. Eight images form a loosely woven story: from mirror image to the artist’s portrait. Editions: 8–20, numbered and signed.

Linocut print titled '& mirror image' featuring red and black colors, depicting two faces within frames, with a silhouette of a figure standing between them, created in 2023.
& mirror image
Linocut print titled '& a hand monument', depicting a stylized hand gesture with the ampersand symbol above it, printed in black and red on Japanese paper, 2023.
& a hand monument
Hand-printed linocut titled '& smoke-free', featuring a stylized human face and abstract shapes in black and red, with the ampersand symbol incorporated.
& smoke-free
Linocut artwork titled '& a starry night', featuring a stylized human face in black and red colors, set against a textured red background with white dots resembling stars. The print is part of a series of eight hand-printed linocuts.
& a starry night
Hand-printed linocut artwork featuring abstract figures in black and red, titled 'el&Brainwaves', by the artist S. Kapnissi, created in 2023.
& brain waves
A linocut print titled '& a kiss', depicting two figures kissing, with a stylized red ampersand symbol above them. The print is marked as 1 of 20 and is signed by the artist.
& a kiss
Hand-printed linocut artwork featuring the ampersand symbol in black and red, titled '& now', number 4 of 8, created by S. Kapuściński in 2023.
& now
Linocut print titled '& the artist', featuring a stylized portrait of a woman against a black background, hand-printed on Japanese paper in 2023.
& the artist

Technique & year of creation

Linocuts printed by hand in the atelier. Paper: Tosa Shi Japanese paper 54 g.

Year: 2023

Titles & info

“& mirror image” – edition: 10 – paper size 30,5 x 22,7 cm

“& a hand monument” – edition: 10 – paper size 30,5 x 22,7 cm

“& smoke-free” – edition: 10 – paper size 30,5 x 22,7 cm

“& a starry night” – edition: 10 – paper size 30,5 x 22,7 cm

“& brain waves” – edition: 11 – paper size 30,5 x 22,7 cm

“& a kiss” – edition: 20 – paper size 30,5 x 22,7 cm

“& now” – edition: 8 – paper size 22,7 x 15,2 cm

“& the artist” – edition: 16 – paper size 22,7 x 15,2 cm

& prints in frame

Series of Eight Linocuts on Tosa Shi Japanese Paper

Presented with passepartout in a uniform 40 × 30 cm vertical frame with anti-reflective glass.

& project process

A collection of 60 prints accompanied by their transfer drawings. These works are the start ideas, proof prints and failed versions of a study on the typographic symbol ampersand ‘&’. They show the line of thinking from try-outs to visualized ideas to finished artwork(s). The final prints, the result of the study, are not included in this collection. In the photograph the surface is 250 cm height x 220 cm width.

Ampersand: On the inconclusiveness of art

While my work often revolves around letter characters, it rarely results in a design in the designer’s sense. My approach is that of a painter; it is raw & experimental and it entails failure. The ampersand, meaning ‘and’ (et) is a connecting symbol. Yet a repetition of ampersands points towards incompleteness and inconclusiveness. This is a trait that distinguishes art from all other areas of thought registration and exchange. In the talk about openness and acceptance, the inconclusiveness of art is a valuable guide. With these thoughts in mind, this collection of try-out prints can be considered a visual essay on the inconclusiveness of art. That is why its title is ‘Ampersand: On the inconclusiveness of art’.

A collection of small linocut prints displayed on a wall, featuring various interpretations of the ampersand symbol in black and red ink on white paper. The prints include portraits and abstract designs, showcasing a variety of styles and compositions.
The prints mounted on a 250 cm height x 220 cm width canvas.
A layout of hand-printed linocuts featuring various typographic symbols, including ampersands, arranged in a grid on paper. Some prints have additional illustrations, and annotations describing the content and edition numbers are visible.
Linocut print depicting a seated figure with rays or lines extending from their body, emphasizing movement and connection.
amp process 01
Hand-printed linocut featuring a large pink ampersand with abstract figures in black in the background. Created in 2023.
amp process 02
A black and white linocut print depicting abstract shapes and lines, signed by the artist with the year 2023.
amp process 03
Linocut print featuring a mirrored image of abstract forms in black ink on white Japanese paper, signed by the artist.
amp process 04
Black and white linocut print depicting abstract figures with a central vertical split, signed by the artist.
amp process 05
Linocut artwork featuring two abstract faces in black ink on white paper, with flowing lines suggesting movement or expression.
amp process 06
Linocut print depicting two abstract figures interacting, showcasing dynamic movement. The artwork utilizes black on white, emphasizing contrast and form.
amp process 07
A hand-printed linocut featuring dynamic, swirling red and black forms on Japanese paper, conveying movement and abstract figures.
amp process 08
A hand-printed linocut on Japanese paper featuring abstract figures in black and red, with dynamic swirling lines creating movement and energy.
amp process 09
Linocut artwork featuring a stylized profile of a person's head with abstract lines and patterns in black and red, on textured Japanese paper.
amp process 10
A hand-printed linocut depicting a stylized face in black with red accents, exploring themes of connection and absence, signed by the artist.
amp process 11
A hand-printed linocut depicting two abstract figures in movement, set against a swirling red background with black elements. The print features dynamic lines and shapes, suggesting motion and connection.
amp process 12
A hand-printed linocut featuring two abstract figures amidst flowing lines and spiral patterns, predominantly in red and black, dated 2023.
amp process 13
Hand-printed linocut artwork in black and red, depicting two figures interacting with swirling lines, symbolizing connection and movement.
amp process 14
A hand-printed linocut depicting the ampersand symbol, featuring abstract figures in black against a red background, with the artist's signature and year 2023 at the bottom.
amp process 15
A hand-printed linocut featuring a dynamic composition in black and red, depicting abstract shapes that suggest movement and form.
amp process 16
A vibrant red and black linocut depicting abstract forms and textures, created in 2023. The composition features flowing lines and dynamic shapes, inviting viewer interpretation.
amp process 17
Linocut print featuring a stylized figure with a circular design in red and black, showcasing the ampersand theme.
amp process 18
A hand-printed linocut in black and red on Japanese paper depicting a stylized profile of a person with swirling lines and abstract elements around their head.
amp process 19
Linocut print depicting a stylized human head with abstract features, primarily in black and red against a white background. The artwork is part of a series exploring the ampersand symbol.
amp process 20
Hand-printed linocut featuring a stylized portrait, predominant colors are red and blue, with abstract lines and textures. Signed by the artist and dated 2023.
amp process 21
Hand-printed linocut artwork featuring a stylized face in blue and red, emphasizing the interaction of colors and textures.
amp process 22
Hand-printed linocut artwork featuring a stylized head in black and red, representing the theme of connection through the ampersand symbol.
amp process 23
Linocut print featuring a stylized human head with a thought bubble, using black and red ink on white paper.
amp process 24
A black and red linocut print depicting a stylized human head with a creative depiction of thoughts illustrated above it, emphasizing the theme of introspection and imagination.
amp process 25
Hand-printed linocut depicting a stylized profile of a head in black and red, representing the theme of the ampersand symbol.
amp process 26
A hand-printed linocut depicting a human head in profile, partially surrounded by an abstract orange and black background, signed by the artist and dated 2023.
amp process 27
Linocut print illustrating a stylized face with a headpiece, featuring bold black and orange colors on Japanese paper.
amp process 28
Linocut print featuring a stylized human head in black with red accents, symbolizing the theme of connection represented by the ampersand symbol, created on Japanese paper.
amp process 29
Linocut print featuring a stylized profile of a person's head in black and red on white paper, with abstract elements and a circular shape surrounding the figure.
amp process 30
Linocut print featuring a stylized human head in black and red, surrounded by a red abstract border. Signed by the artist and dated 2023.
amp process 31
Linocut print depicting a stylized human profile with red and black accents, surrounded by a circular red design. Signed by the artist and dated 2023.
amp process 32
Hand-printed linocut artwork featuring a stylized human silhouette in black and red, surrounded by a circular red frame. Signed by the artist, S. Kapnissi, and dated 2023.
amp process 33
A hand-printed linocut artwork featuring abstract elements in red and black on white paper, showcasing dynamic shapes and contours.
amp process 34
Hand-printed linocut artwork featuring abstract forms in black and red, with swirling patterns and a circular element, titled '& mirror image'.
amp process 35
Linocut depicting a stylized ampersand with abstract human faces in black and red ink, on Japanese paper.
amp process 36
Linocut print featuring an abstract interpretation of the ampersand symbol in black and red on white paper, signed by the artist.
amp process 37
Linocut print featuring abstract faces and swirling lines in black and red ink on Japanese paper, emphasizing the theme of connection represented by the ampersand.
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details (to follow)

Printing time

Artist working in a studio surrounded by hand-printed linocuts featuring the ampersand symbol, with prints displayed on walls and tables.
Art studio environment featuring multiple hand-printed linocuts hanging on a clothesline and displayed on tables. Several prints depict the ampersand symbol in various styles and colors, including black and red. An artist's foot can be seen resting on the work surface.
Artist working in a studio surrounded by printed linocuts featuring ampersands, with various artworks displayed on the walls.

About linocuts and printing:

Cat prints

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