Boojah of Ghat

Ian Hugo

A fictionalized portrait of Ian Hugo, whose given name was Hugh Parker Guiler and his wife, author Anais Nin appears in Philip Kaufman's 1990 film "Henry & June." Hugo was one the the early printmakers to help establish the Atelier 17 in New York with Hayter, who Hugo and Nin had known in Paris.

Hugo wanted to learn engraving so he could illustrate Anais Nin's books. She was having a difficult time finding publishers and they decided to publish her works by themselves. He learned at Atelier 17 in New York, starting in 1940. This image was done in 1942.

Hugo's childhood was spent in Puerto Rico and the tropical landscape and stories from his youth are often reflected in the Surreal imagery he used, such as "Boojah of Ghat".

"Boojah" is a slang word something that is adorable or for female genitalia. A "Ghat" is a broad flight of steps that is situated on an Indian riverbank and that provides access to the water especially for bathing, and is a site where cremations occur.

A surreal creature embraces a large, toothed fish beneath a sea, created by a large bird spreading its wings. Hugo engraved this image directly on the copper plate and the ink stands up from the surface of the paper.