One of the most iconic racing cars of all time, the Ford GT40 was born out of motorsport’s most infamous grudge. After failing to secure possession of Enzo Ferrari’s much celebrated company, Henry Ford II returned to America empty-handed and declared his desire to crush Ferrari at Le Mans. The result was a car that was to defeat all before it. After a couple of years of improvised and particularly unsuccessful development, 1966 marked the beginning of the GT40 legend. A 1-2-3 victory at Daytona was quickly followed by another victory at Sebring.
However, it was the Le Mans crown that Ford coveted. Ford assembled an army for the race that year: nine cars, over 100 personnel with 21 tonnes of spare parts. Ford defeated Ferrari in style, dominating the podium with the top three finishers and becoming the first American manufacturer to emerge victorious at Le Mans. Le Mans wins followed for the GT40 for three more years, establishing the GT40 as one of the most iconic race cars of all time. Ferrari did not win at Le Mans again for over fifty years.
Amalgam Collection and Alan Thornton
Amalgam is delighted to partner with artist Alan Thornton to introduce a collection of silkscreen prints. Precise and technical in nature, these prints isolate the subject, laying the image onto Alan’s signature metallic background, that focuses the viewer’s eye on the sculptural, organic qualities of iconic cars and planes. Alan’s obsession with form, function and beauty, combined with his enduring passion for all things automotive and mechanical, align perfectly with Amalgam’s mission.
The Process
Screen printing is the process of transferring a stencilled artwork onto a flat surface using a mesh screen, ink and a squeegee. Starting with the photography, the subject matter is composed and lit with the intermediate processes and the final print in mind – each step very much influences the final outcome. In post-production the image is refined and manipulated to create the final tonal variations needed for the separation of colours, which are then half toned which simulates continuous-tone imagery through the use of dots or lines, varying either in size or in spacing, thus generating a gradient-like effect. For each colour, a positive acetate is transferred to a silk screen frame coated in photosensitive emulsion. Following exposure, washing out and drying, the frame is mounted on a to print bed, and the chosen colour ink is then forced through the mesh with a squeegee. This is a highly skilled craft process, sensitive to the touch, feel and technique of the printer, and as a result each print is unique.
Handling Your Print
Art screen prints are best handled by professional framers. Amalgam would always recommend framing your print with a box frame under UV protected glass or acrylic, which will give maximum protection. When removing your print from the tube, reach in with clean hands and gently twist the print to make it smaller, slowly pull the print out from the centre. Do not pull quickly at a corner as you may damage the corner. Try to physically handle the print as little as possible and, when you do, always make sure your hands are clean and that you support the print fully, as the paper can pick up dirt or crease. Try to avoid leaving the print rolled for any length of time.
Art Screenprints of the Ford GT40 are limited to an edition size of just 200. No frame is included. By purchasing this print, you agree and consent to your information being shared with Alan Thornton for use in the fulfilment of your order.
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more information: amalgamcollection.com
