The Pulse of Printmaking
February 11th, 2004
By Archived Story
Printmaking is beating and moving in new directions. A glimpse of this is currently at The 4th Minnesota National Print Biennial from January 13 to February 19 at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery, which is located in the Regis Center of Art, University of Minnesota. The exhibit shows the vitality and evolvement of printmaking in the United States with the help of artists from across the nation.
“The Minnesota Nation Print Biennial is a very well respected exhibition nationally, and we’re very proud at the Department of Art about that,” commented Colleen Mullins, the director for the show. “Every two years we take the pulse of printmaking in the United States, and it just keeps getting stronger,” she explained. This is obvious upon looking at the works selected from 1,200 magnificent submissions by 425 artists, who represented 48 states. Of these works, 122 were chosen for the exhibit by three jurors: Marjorie Devon (Director, Tamarind Institute), Siri Engberg (Curator, Walker Art Center) and John Scott (Artist/Professor, Xavier University).
Printmaking is an encompassing art form. The biennial showcases traditional techniques such as lithographs and mezzotints. This confirms the importance of conventional engraving and relief printing, but the show also has digital techniques that are changing how prints are made and evolving the art form.
The works selected have the touch of different mediums to create vibrant colors, contrasts and images. Technical mastery, as well as expression and compelling content, can be viewed in the pieces. The subject matter is extensive, ranging from landscape, religion, the body, portraiture, science, history, the environment and current events. Skill and personality are at eye level as one travels around the gallery. Images range from solid to wispy, black and white to color, realistic to fanciful. There is a strong pulse indeed. Beauty, form and striking messages are found in the validity of this expanding art form.
“Four Blue Angels” by Suzanne Kosmalski, who is a winner of the Walker Art Center Purchase Award and a lecturer of arts at the University of Minnesota, is a transcendent digital work. Movement and inertia flow through the four images as we get closer and closer to the “blue angel.” Each of us can only assume what or who she is. Kosmalski’s inspiration for the print came from her collection of images of film and stage performers circa 1900-1930. “‘Four Blue Angels’ is from one of my favorite films of the period, The Blue Angel,” says Komalski. “The film is visually seedy, shot in black and white, and is the story of a nightclub singer, who convinces a professor to join her in her forbidden lifestyle; hence, the blue angel.”
Kosmalski’s piece was not the only one to be recognized as exceptional. A reception was held January 16 to announce awards and special purchases. A variety of sponsors, such as the University of Minnesota, local museums and art industries, recognized the stunning and representative work of the artists. A lecture by Siri Engberg was also given, in which she praised the art form.
The Nash Gallery is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Following the biennial is another remarkable show, “Persian Silver, Contemporary Photography from Iran,” which runs February 24 until April 8.
