
By Ash Saraga
WORCESTER – Initially made up of 181 prints when it was first displayed in its entirety at the Zullo Gallery in Medfield, Mass, the “reThink INK: Boston Printmakers Members Show 2010” has subsequently been split into three separate shows — the Red, Blue and Green collection — and has been showing across the United States at both commercial and college galleries.
The “Red Section,” featuring 60 works, opened at Worcester State’s recently renovated gallery on January 26; four of the featured artists were present to talk about their work, and give demonstrations of their techniques.
“reThink INK” is aptly named, as directions accompany every print in the series from the artist on how each piece was made. Boston Printmakers board member Vivian Berman said a major point of having an exhibition on a college campus is to provide background that enhances the students’ learning experience.
My highlights were: “Ancestry of the Birds” by Jan Arabas, a vibrant piece set on a deep red background. Arabas used the birds in her aviary for inspiration, and monotype with chine colle as her medium. The finished piece is a beautiful imagining of a bird’s progression through life.
“Splash” by Barbara Elam is another of the show’s more colorful pieces. The scene erupts in greens, blues and yellows, as it portrays a woman floating through water. “Splash” is a relief/intaglio print, a technique that Elam enjoys for its simple materials.
“Shallows #15” is one of reThink INK’s monochromatic pieces. Artist Jennifer Caine etched and printed “Shallows” using copper plating and an acid bath to achieve this piece’s unique and sharp use of line.
The “Blue Section” of “reThink INK” will be exhibited at the Southern Graphics Conference to be held on the campus of the University of New Orleans starting on March 10 and remaining on view through April 7. The Printmakers’ next endeavor will be the 2013 Boston Printmakers Biennial, which will include artwork from 20 New England schools, in addition to prints submitted by members.
You can find more information at the Boston Printmakers’ website, including an online version of the full “reThink INK” collection, at http://www.bostonprintmakers.org
(“reThink INK: Boston Printmakers Members Show 2010: Red Section” is on view through February 23 at the Worcester State University Gallery, Ghosh Science and Technology Building, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, Mass. Gallery hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 1-4 p.m. or by appointment at (508) 929-8651.)