Othello

Sarah Simmonds (1984 - )

Photolithograph

2011

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Department for Culture, Media & Sport, 100 Parliament Street

    Gently crumpled, as if just dropped from someone’s hand, a simple embroidered handkerchief is the subject of Othello, a print by Sarah Simmonds. She uses the technique of photolithography to capture a dramatic contrast between light and dark in the composition. Referencing Othello, one of the most famous of Shakespeare’s literary characters, the handkerchief is a potent motif of the unfolding tragedy based on the disintegrating relationship between the military commander, Othello and his beloved wife, Desdemona. Stoked by lies and rumours spread by his second-in-command, Iago, Othello’s love for Desdemona is irrevocably destroyed, leading to the bitter conclusion of the play.

    The handkerchief recurs throughout the play and comes to symbolise Desdemona’s perceived (yet false) infidelity. It is described as Othello’s first ever love gift to her. Through an act of deception, Iago arranges for it to be stolen from Desdemona and placed in the possession of Cassio, a young and loyal lieutenant to Othello.

    Othello is one of 34 prints in Folio, a portfolio produced by the Royal College of Art (RCA) in 2011. The set was published as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 50th birthday that year.
  • About the artist
    Born in Kent, Sarah Simmonds studied printmaking at the University of Brighton (2004–07) and Fine Art Printmaking at the RCA, London (MA 2009–11). Since graduating, she has combined her printmaking practice with curating collaborative events and exhibitions, and teaching. In 2012 she co-founded Blood Orange, an artist collective in London which has had exhibitions in London and Brussels.
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  • Details
    Artist
    Sarah Simmonds (1984 - )
    Title
    Othello
    Portfolio Title
    Folio
    Edition
    29/60
    Date
    2011
    Medium
    Photolithograph
    Dimensions
    height: 61 cm, width: 48 cm
    Acquisition
    Presented by the Royal College of Art, March 2016
    Inscription
    verso bl: 29/60 ; verso bc: 'Othello' ; verso br: SARAH SIMMONDS
    Provenance
    Royal College of Art; presented to GAC March 2016
    GAC number
    18687/20