Created after Beam moved to Peterborough in the early 1980s, these two works reveal his exploration of photomechanical image transfer and use of novel materials such as Plexiglas. They also served as studies or working plans through which the artist formulated ideas and imagery for his Columbus project, a sustained historical re-visioning of the Columbus landings in the Americas. As such, the Plexi works prefigure the powerful Indigenous counter-narratives to the Columbus quincentennial celebrations that were to occur in the early 1990s. See also: “Columbus Studies #3: A Journey of Discovery”