Singular and Serial: Expanding the Circle
Echo Location #5, Catherine Kernan, woodcut monoprint
May 18 - July 8, 2023
About The Show
Catherine Kernan's book Singular and Serial: Contemporary Monotype and Monoprint explores the processes and motivations for making singular prints, as well as current practice and context. Our second eponymous exhibition, curated by Kernan and Chris Beneman, once again brings the book into the gallery space, this time focusing on work from New England’s open access print studios.
Curators’ Statement
Building the City 5, Chris Beneman, collagraph, monoprint mounted on board
Community open access studios of New England are thriving! Curating the exhibit ‘Singular and Serial; Expanding the Circle of New England Open Access Print Studios’ was exhilarating and deeply gratifying.
Without exception, the submissions embodied the spirit of spontaneity, immediacy, and playfulness that characterize singular prints. Some entries challenged the limits of printmaking by extremes of scale, both large and small. Dimensional prints stood out as crossing the boundaries into sculpture and installation, and combinations of varied materials broke down the divisions of traditional printmaking. Folding, cutting, gluing, shaping, collaging, mixing of materials conveyed the kinesthetic experience of how the prints were made.
The natural world and our environment featured frequently. We encountered many references to growth and decay as represented by leaves and organic matter. The geometric beauty of the built environment and pure color abstraction were also common themes.
Confronted with so many strong submissions, we tried to balance technical and aesthetic approaches with diversity among the printmaking studios, keeping in mind the space available for this exhibition.
The artists produced works that showcase the vitality of printmaking in New England and take full advantage of the glorious open space of Cove Street Arts.
- Catherine Kernan and Chris Beneman
Featured Artists & Printmaking Studios
Ten Hours, Wendy Ketchum, woodcut monoprint, collage
Karen Adrienne, Zoe Anderson, Chris Beneman, Clara Bohrer, Jessyca Broekman, Liz Chalfin, Janet Cathey, Deborah Cornell, Susan Denniston, Nancy Diessner, Victoria Elbroch, MB Flanders, Blair Folts, Elissa Freud, Randy Garber, Jane Goldman, Rebecca Goodale, Judy Haberl, Mary Hart, Constance Jacobson, Joel Janowitz, Boriana Kantcheva, Kate Katomski, Gali Katz, Catherine Kernan, Wendy Ketchum, Rebekah Lord Gardiner, Liz McGhee, Susan Newbold, Molly Paul, Wendy Prellwitz, Susan Rood, Ellen Roberts, Judy Schneider, Liz Shepherd, Joyce Silverstone, Joanne Simon, Ann Conrad Stewart, Dorothea Van Camp
Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Circling the Square Fine Art Press, Full Tilt Printmaking Studio, Mixit Print Studio, Peregrine Press, Pickwick Independent Press, Running With Scissors Print Studio, Shepherd and Maudsleigh Studio, Two Rivers Printmaking Studio, Zea Mays Printmaking
Preview the Exhibition
(CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE; CURSOR OVER ENLARGED IMAGE FOR DETAILS)
