Thursday, March 12, 1959 University Daily Kansan
Page 3
Print Workshop Draws Two Views
A REAL PRINCE — Linda Wood, Cameron, Mo., freshman, studies "Prince of the Black Isles," a woodcut by William Henry, Parkville, Mo., senior, on display in the student gallery in the Music and Dramatic Arts Building. The woodcut is being shown with the "Print Workshop '59" display.
Art Called 'Good'
"Print Workshop '59," a show of student work, is appearing through the month of March in the student gallery along the west wall of the Music and Dramatic Arts Building.
By John Selfridge Jr.
In a university lacking the means, and often the desire, to publish or display student work (heightened by a student body which, either from a lack of quality or fear of criticism, fails to demand a public showing), it is refreshing and enlightening to see the expansion of one such means of display—the student gallery along the west wall of the Music and Dramatic Arts Building.
It is also refreshing to note that in its first show, "Print Workshop '59," work appears which is not "merely" student work, but which is equal to the best of artists in this area. With some exception, it is a very good show and well worth your time to stop and see; that is what they are there for—go ahead. go on. see them!
You will probably be amazed at the good quality and the understandability of the prints. The artists are to be congratulated on their endeavor. But don't look for idyllic beauty; instead, look for directness, a visual honesty, and a delight in the textural effects of the different mediums—as the decorative rug in Robert Edmonds' "Salome" or the background in Maria Enckell's "Double Self-Portrait."
There are some prints which do not come up to the general excellence; for example, "The Buffalo," in which the beast is recognizable but its form is awkward, and the lines which indicate hair are extremely monotonous and have none of the verve which a series of lines can have.
A line can have a life and express a form of its own; one of the inherent strengths of the intaglio process of printing is that a single expressive line can be attained. None of these intaglio prints shows that certainty of line which is the mark of an outstanding artist, although Harold Boyd's "Self-Portrait" approaches such and is a competent and solid work.
Some might complain of the obvious heritage from Picasso which Edmonds shows in "Conception of the Minotaur" and "Mother and Child," or his indebtedness to Goya in "Salome"; yet, by such studies an artist grows in his own awareness. They are necessary in the establishment of a modern tradition.
My favorite of the exhibit is "The Prince of the Black Isles," by William Henry. It shows the real vigor which can be achieved in a woodcut with extreme black areas contrasted with the white of the paper, yet still maintaining a delicacy and lightness in a decorative fashion. It is a rather pleasing mixture of a long oriental composition and occidental design motifs. The work of a promising young artist.
Incidentally, if you see a print you enjoy, tell the artist, or if you really like it, buy it. After all, whether you buy it from snobbery or pride of ownership, an original is far superior to a reproduction.
Read and Use Kansan Classifieds
By Bret Waller
(Mr. Waller received the Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking from the University in 1958. He is now employed in the display department of the natural history museum.)
Printmaking as it is practiced by these students is a relatively new and purely American phenomenon in which the artist has complete control of the entire process, from conception through execution, including the actual printing.
This involves a great many things other than pure artistic ability. For example, it is standard practice for students to make their own printing inks in order to achieve the exact shade and color desired. Each print is an original work of art in the sense that it is the end product of the artist's efforts, and not a copy of a work in a different medium, as are the "reproductions" available in bookstores.
The fact that this process makes original works available at moderate cost has prompted Time to call prints "paperbacks of the art world." Prices of prints in this show may be obtained through the department of drawing and painting.
On the whole, "Print Workshop '59" is a good exhibition. Waverly Anderson's "Self Portrait," Robert Edmiston's "Group of Musicians," Maria Enckell's "Double Self-Portrait," Shirley Murgrave's "Composition with Rocking Chair," Robert Edmonds's "Salome," and Nancy Ellson's "Self-Portrait" are good prints, but suffer from a lack of technical skill.
Janet Patterson's sensitive and refreshingly delicate landscape is marred by some muddy gray areas, as is Harold Boyd's self-portrait. This weakness is apparent in Edmond's "Conception of the Mino-taur," in which there is a haphazard spotting of blacks and a degree of spatial confusion.
Bennett To Read Poetry
Gordon Bennett, instructor of English, will read the poetry of Walter De La Mare at the poetry hour at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Music and Browsing Room of the Kansas Union. Coffee will be served.
The death rate from heart disease in the U.S. has risen from 355.5 to 361.8 per 100,000 population since 1950.
However, four prints seem to rise above the classification of student work, and in these our criticism and consideration are directed toward their meanings.
Harold Boyd's "Pieta" and Jerry Buchanan's "Icarus" achieve strong, visually satisfying construction at the expense of material beauty and spontaneity. The scars of their efforts are apparent in the prints, and lend a certain dignity. However, in neither case does the artist seem to have been especially concerned with or sympathetic toward his subject. One feels that subject is more an excuse than a "reason for being" in these works.
William Henry's technically flawless "Prince of the Black Isles" has verve, sophistication and elegance. It is thoroughly enjoyable as a witty elaboration on a subject of little significance.
There remains one work which, I
Art Conference Set for Tomorrow
The 19th annual High School Art Conference for nearly 1,500 art students and their teachers will be held tomorrow.
The conference will include a full schedule of exhibits, displays and demonstrations of the arts. A lunchcon and dinner will also be held.
About 600 pieces of art by Kansas high school students will be on display. Drawings and paintings will be shown in the corridors of Strong Hall. The South Lounge of the Kansas Union will have a ceramics exhibition.
Each contribution will be criticized by a panel so as to improve the technique of the student
Each year the painting of one high school teacher is displayed. Mr. Nelson is a KU graduate.
Marjorie Whitney, professor of design, is chairman of the program committee. The conference is sponsored by the School of Fine Arts and University Extension.
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feel, possesses that essential ability to bridge the gap between mere pictures and life. In Judith Hood's "Self-Portrait" I find an all-important unity of technique, form and statement.
The print is not overwhelming, or even as immediately impressive as many of the others, but every element contributes to its quiet self-assurance. It does not have a meaning"; it simply is, and that suffices.
In general, the problems faced by members of Print Workshop are not problems peculiar to art, but are rather problems peculiar to life. For how can a man produce a meaningful work from a meaningless life? This is the point at which art impinges upon life and becomes significant.
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