Michael Kenny (1941–1999) Screenprint Hills and River Shores, c.1980

Michael Kenny (1941–1999)

Hills and River Shores, c.1980

Colour screenprint on paper, signed, titled and numbered 29/50 in pencil.

A striking and atmospheric screenprint by British artist Michael Kenny, combining expressive mark-making with the geometric forms that became a hallmark of his work. Across the composition, sweeping black passages and energetic linear elements suggest a rugged landscape, while abstract architectural forms emerge on the horizon. The balance between structure and spontaneity creates a work that feels both monumental and deeply connected to the natural world.

A powerful example of British post-war printmaking from an artist whose work bridged abstraction and landscape with remarkable confidence. Combining strong graphic forms with expressive mark-making, Hills and River Shores is both a significant work by Michael Kenny and a piece with a documented exhibition history beyond the private art market.

Kenny was one of the most respected British artists of his generation. Born in Yorkshire in 1941, he studied at the Leeds College of Art alongside his twin brother, the sculptor Barry Flanagan. He later attended the Royal College of Art, where he developed a distinctive visual language informed by landscape, archaeology and architecture. Throughout his career he exhibited widely in Britain and internationally, with works held in major public collections including the Tate.

Produced in a small edition of only 50 impressions, Hills and River Shores demonstrates Kenny’s ability to merge drawing, printmaking and painterly gesture into a single image. The layered composition, subtle colour palette and strong graphic presence make it particularly well suited to contemporary interiors, while also appealing to collectors of post-war British art.

The reverse retains an original inventory label from the charity Paintings in Hospitals, indicating that the work was previously part of their collection and was loaned for display within healthcare settings. Founded in 1959, the organisation places original artworks in hospitals and care environments throughout the UK, and the label provides an interesting piece of provenance linking the print to a long-established public arts programme.

Artist: Michael Kenny (1941–1999)

Title: Hills and River Shores

Date: Circa 1980

Medium: Colour screenprint on paper

Edition: 29/50

Signature: Signed, titled and numbered in pencil

Image Size: 90 x 122 cm

Condition

A bright, well-preserved impression in very good condition. Presented in a white frame behind glass. The frame shows minor signs of age and use consistent with display but remains in good overall condition. Ready to hang.

A powerful example of British post-war printmaking from an artist whose work bridged abstraction and landscape with remarkable confidence.