Comments On Five Masters: Contemporary Prints from the Jordan D. Schnitzer Collection

Maryhill Museum of Art

Goldendale, WA

509-773-3733

http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/

Comments On Five Masters: Contemporary Prints from the Jordan D. Schnitzer Collection

From May 12 through November 15, 2001 Maryhill Museum of Art is presenting an exhibition titled Comments On Five Masters: Contemporary Prints from the Jordan D. Schnitzer Collection. The exhibition includes a variety of comments from teachers, students, museum visitors, the artists, the curator and the collector, Jordan Schnitzer, about prints by artists Chuck Close, Jim Dine, Red Grooms, Jacob Lawrence, and Roy Lichtenstein. (left: Chuck Close, John, 13/80, 1997, color silkscreen, 64 x 54 inches)

When asked to state one's opinion about a work of art, many people speak in terms of ambiguity and equivocation. The individuals quoted in this exhibit want the viewer to know exactly where they stand. Their observations, reflections and reactions are posted on the gallery walls next to the prints. (right: Jim Dine, Garrity Necklace, 28/30, color etching, 1986, 53 x 41 inches)

These comments address not only what the creating of art work reveals about the artists, but also the feelings and convictions the art brings forth from the viewer. For example, art coordinator Jeanney McArthur, of Oregon's Sherman County School District, commented on a portrait by artist Chuck Close. "Rarely is one so awestruck by portraiture, but then again, rarely is the process itself so evident, and so astonishing. If there is a visual equivalent to the realization that 'the journey is the destination', this would surely be it."

Art critic Sue Taylor, when referring to an etching by Jim Dine, wrote "Dine loves the more tactile qualities he can find in a medium that displays such sensuous evidence of the artist's touch."

When Jim Dine was asked about why he chose to work with the image of Venus de Milo he mentioned that he had a little statue of it from a gift shop and stated in part "...I never choose things, they choose me. .I'm very trusting of my intuition and of my unconscious life and I honor it by letting it have a healthy outlet." (left: Red Grooms, Elvis, 1987, color lithograph, 40 x 30 inches)

"Located in the middle of the gallery is a guest book inviting visitors to state their feelings about individual prints or the entire exhibition. During the run of the exhibit, especially poignant comments found in the guest book, will be added to the display," said Lee Musgrave, curator of contemporary exhibitions. (right: Roy Lichtenstein, Still Life with Portrait, 61/100, 1974, 47 x 39 inches)

Jordan D. Schnitzer began collecting art at the age of 11. His collection now numbers into the hundreds. As art collectors and entrepreneurs he and his wife Mina are active supporters of community projects, the arts and education programs.

Read more about these artists and other figurative artists in this magazine.

American Figurative and Portrait Art

Read more about the Maryhill Museum of Art in Resource Library Magazine.

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This page was originally published in Resource Library Magazine. Please see Resource Library's Overview section for more information. rev. 5/23/11

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