| Published September 21, 2005 Discover Printmaking LINDA CONLEY,
Staff Writer Artist Doug Whittle created this painting as part of his show titled "Doug Whittle: Paintings and Prints." Printmaking by area artists and more are explored this month through three exhibits at the Spartanburg County Museum of Art. Each show displays the versatility in the work. One exhibition contains pieces by several artists with information panels illustrating the processes used. A second exhibit comes from a private collection. The third contains both paintings and prints made by the same artist. Scott Cunningham, exhibits coordinator, said many people don't think of printmaking as an art. He hopes the exhibitions help visitors understand the art and work involved. "Two of the exhibits show how the artwork progressed and moved on," he said. "We didn't want viewers to get the idea that fine art prints are just etchings or monotypes." "Southern Masters of Printmaking" runs through Oct. 30 in the Parsons Gallery. It contains 90 pieces made from the 1890s through the 1960s. The collection shows life in the South and various types of printmaking, such as colorful serigraphs, etchings and lithographs. The artwork ranges from portraits to landscapes taking the viewer back in time. Artists featured in the show include Sigmund Abeles, George Aid, Thomas Hart Benton, Elizabeth O'Neill Verner and others. David Henderson of Spartanburg owns the collection. He started collecting the pieces years ago after being drawn to a print made by Verner. The print depicted a landscape scene in Charleston. "The collection shows history because I am a history buff," he said. "Some of it is pretty, and some of it is not so pretty." Henderson said he has collected so many pieces he doesn't have enough space in his home to display them. He likes the exhibit because it gives him and others a chance to see both art and history. "This collection has been assembled not with convention, but with conviction, and with all the delight of a true novice," he said. "Exploring the World of Printmaking through our Contemporary Area Printmakers" runs through Oct. 23 in the Milliken Gallery. The processes involved and types of printmaking are illustrated through the work of artists. Each work has at least one print next to the plate from which it was pulled. Viewers get to see and learn about types of prints and the various forms of printmaking. Artists featured in the show include Andrew Blanchard, Pat Kabore, Jim Creal, Ann DerGara, Mark Mulfinger and others. "Printmaking is underrated and mistaken because the word print is used in such a general way that people don't know what a print is," Blanchard said. "This exhibition is a real treat because you see printmaking and all of the processes involved." The final exhibit is "Doug Whittle: Paintings and Prints." Whittle, a former associate art professor at Converse College, is director of education travel at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. The show runs through Oct. 23 in the Burwell Gallery. Whittle's exhibit contains some of his large landscape paintings of southern coastal areas. The paintings are in contrast to some of his prints depicting characters from the late 19th and mid-16th centuries. He said he uses painting to satisfy his interest in landscaping and printmaking to satisfy his interest in images dealing with history, humor, religion and human fallibility. "I can't say that I prefer painting or printmaking because they are so different," he said. "They are two completely different artistic outlets." Linda Conley can be reached at 562-7213 or linda.conley@shj.com. |