James Kearns was commissioned by Associated American Artists to do three prints, each in the usual edition of 250 impressions. "Man on Stilts" was issued by AAA in 1968.
Kearns is known for his printmaking and charcoal drawings as much as he is known for his sculpture, and in “Man on Stilts”> one could easily imagine the transference of the central figure into a three dimensional medium. There is no lack of energy on the flat surface of the paper due to Kearns’ keen ability to create volume and movement on paper, making it appear as if the stilted man is about to step through the bounds of the platemark.
An impression of “Man on Stilts” is included in the permanent collection of the Whitney Museum.