Printmaking Exhibition at Housatonic Museum of Art

Bridgeport, CT -- On February 23, art lovers enjoyed the opening reception of Prints That Work: printmaking in the service of a bigger picture, the newest exhibition at the Housatonic Museum of Art. The exhibit features the work of Neil Daigle-Orians, John O’Donnell, Roxanne Faber-Savage and Kelsey Miller, each with their own unique voice and approach to printmaking. 

Visitors to the exhibition will view prints on fabric, embroidery, objects and even on the walls of the gallery.  A panel discussion featuring the artists will take place on March 23 and the exhibition remains on view through March 25. The Housatonic Museum of Art is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Bridgeport, CT.  To learn more visit www.HousatonicMuseum.org

“These artists use printmaking to amplify their concepts, and they’re building technique upon technique,” says guest curator Leslie Giuliani.  “I wanted to give each artist the space to communicate their whole idea, which stretches from water and elephant conservation to structure, space and sexuality.”

Impacted by 17 days at sea crossing the Atlantic Ocean, artist Kelsey Miller uses printmaking to explore the experience of place. “My artwork is based on my experiences of being in landscape; being immersed in ‘envastness,’ and how we remember things in a non-linear way.” 

Artist John O’Donnell, an Assistant Professor of Art who teaches printmaking at UCONN, uses printmaking to occupy space.  “This is my first time combining printmaking and structure; the sculptures are inspired by prints.” 

A highlight of O’Donnell’s work is the pairing of “Brick Tower,” a sculpture of over 200 individual screen printed boxes, with a video performance of him building the installation while sightless, entitled “The Blind Architect.” About the installation, O'Donnell commented, “It’s the idea that you don’t always know what it is that you’re making when you’re making it.”

Neil Daigle-Orians translates digital research into the physical form of his artwork.  His exhibition features playful and interactive pieces that explore sexuality. There are flip books, faces you can spin on a rotating portrait, a photo booth and even an adult coloring book. “I look at how we experience bodies online, such as a selfie which is a public thing, and the use of coded language. Specific apps and hashtags are allowing queer men to find one another.” 

Roxanne Faber-Savage uses printmaking to create multiples, restating ideas repetitively to magnify the absurdity of killing elephants for their ivory tusks. She does this “to highlight a shared love and hope for the future of the world’s largest land mammal.”

“It is exciting to see these artists translating their ideas with fresh printmaking techniques,” said Robbin Zella, Director for the Housatonic Museum of Art.  “These artists are pushing the boundaries of how we think about printmaking.”

On Thursday, March 23 at 6 PM artists and art lovers alike are invited to attend a panel discussion also titled Prints That Work: printmaking in the service of a bigger picture. At this discussion, the featured artists will talk about the role of printmaking in their artistic practice.  This lively discussion will take place in the Burt Chernow Galleries at the Housatonic Museum of Art, and is free of charge.

About the Housatonic Museum of Art

The Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA) is home to one of the premier college art collections in the United States.  Its collection offers students and the community alike the opportunity to view works that span the history of art from the ancient to the contemporary.  Unique to the Housatonic Community College campus, this permanent collection is on continuous display throughout the 300,000 square foot facility, offering a rare opportunity for both art enthusiasts and casual observers to view and interact with the art on a daily basis.  Visit www.HousatonicMuseum.org to learn more.

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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