FELIX OPPEN
We Had a Chance — $380 (framed)
2023, metal and wood type printed with commercial printing inks on Sexton Vellum and tissue paper, 30 x 40 cm
FELIX OPPEN
Quad Study — $550 (framed)
2023, letterpress, unique state, 30 x 30 cm
‘We Had a Chance’ began as a submission to a group called Creatives for Yes made of designers from the Australian graphic design community who supported constitutional recognition and a Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Printed in colours drawn, obviously, from the Aboriginal flag with wood type the word YES was a symbol of decency and hope. As we know this small act of decency was resoundingly rejected. More wood type printing in a cold blue of rejection NO covers but does not obliterate YES – the story is not over yet. Floating over these words are lines that I wrote in response to the rejection.