One Plate, from The Sister Troop portfolio

In 2007, Gary Hume had a solo show at White Cube entitled 'American Tan.' The exhibition combined a group of paintings and sculptures, all inspired by the iconic form of the American cheerleader. When the print publisher Charles Booth-Clibborn approached the artist about creating a new project together, Hume decided to use a selection of these cheerleader motifs to form a portfolio of screenprints.

In the portfolio, 'The Sister Troop,' Hume opted for a collage process in which the prints are laid down on a brushed-aluminium card. After selecting the colours for each print, Hume marked the areas of each print where the metallic second-layer should be made visible, which were then stamped out using cutting jigs. Prior to the stamping, glue was screenprinted on the back of the sheets and each covered with a release paper. Afterwards, this was removed, and each sheet was laminated by hand onto the aluminium card.

The present work showcasing the iconic cheerleader's uniform abstracted in the shimmer of brushed metal against a black background, along with the other nine plates making up 'The Sister Troop' are technical triumphs, representing one of Hume's most intricate print series to date.

Screenprint in colours with collage on brushed aluminium card, 2009, on Somerset Satin paper, signed in pencil and dated, from edition of 60 (including eight artist's proofs), published by Paragon Press, 81.4 x 60.4 cm. (32 x 23¾ in.)