Sonnichsen explores limitless variation among carefully controlled systems. Whether with Legos or small intaglio plates that he has curated since his years as an architecture student, Sonnichsen’s parsimonious selection of matrices create expanding and contracting universes. Changing the color of ink, the order of printing each color, the alignment of the plate, the number of printings on each sheet of paper and other variations, he creates complex, layered worlds that read as maps or plans, as dynamic reactions among triangles and quadrangles…the vibrating energy of his imagery is like electricity pulsating through the paper.

Sonnichsen also works in screen printing and photography, almost always using ordinary concrete objects from the world as a source for his images. He lives in Moscow, Idaho and teaches printmaking at the University of Idaho.

psbriggs

Michael Sonnichsen; Recombinant Chromosapien II, 2018; Lego letterpress relief (320×264 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; Chromosapien Square (with Orange0, 2018; Lego letterpress relief (341×341 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; Test Pattern 2.4 II, 2018; Lego letterpress relief (349×349 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; 8×8 XII, 2010; etching, aquatint (200×203 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; 8×8 XXVI, 2018; etching, aquatint (201×203 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; 8×8 XXXVII, 2018; Etching, aquatint (201×204 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; 8×8 XXVIII, 2017; etching, aquatint (201×203 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; System Reference Test, 2017; etching, aquatint (101×102 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; untitled, 2002; etching, aquatint (101×102 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; untitled, 2002; etching, aquatint (101×102 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; Untitled, 2002; etching, aquatint (101×102 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; untitled, 2002; etching, aquatint (101×102 mm)

Michael Sonnichsen; untitled, 2002; etching, aquatint (101×102 mm)