The craft of printmaking takes center stage when the Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College presents “Under Pressure: printmaking today,’’ an exhibit featuring works from 18 artists whose styles range from the traditional to the experimental.
Jennifer Anne Bennett, a professor of art at Grossmont College, curates the exhibit, which runs March 28-April 28.
The craft of printmaking takes center stage when the Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College presents “Under Pressure: printmaking today,’’ an exhibit featuring works from 18 artists whose styles range from the traditional to the experimental.
Jennifer Anne Bennett, a professor of art at Grossmont College, curates the exhibit, which runs March 28-April 28.
“We’re including a large variety of techniques, styles and content,” Bennett said. “Since I wanted this to be an educational experience for our students, it was important to show a diverse group of works.”
Mission accomplished. Included is a display highlighting the traditional intaglio process, which involves etching an image onto the surface of a plate. The work by artist Kathleen McCord, includes the copper plate and details all 10 stages of the intaglio process, as well as the framed finished piece.
On the other end of the spectrum is a unique, experimental print produced by artist John Brinton Hogan by jacking up a truck and using it as an embossing tool. The impression left behind was filled with a sparkly medium.
“The pieces in this exhibition explore a wide array of topics: beauty and the sublime, narrative, history, identity and culture, memory, intuition, and place,” said Bennett. “The works are minimal, structural, atmospheric, flat, playful, layered and certainly varied.”
Featured artists:
Ayad Almissouri
Jenny Armer
Diana Marie Behl
Mara De Luca
Paula Des Jardins
Steve Gibson
Peter Halasz
John Brinton Hogan
John Oliver Lewis
Jim Machacek
Jessica McCambly
McCord
Ingram Ober
Sasha Koozel Reibstein
Marisol Rendon
Elijah Rubottom
Augusto Sandroni
Jones von Jonestein
Most are from the region, and Bennett visited almost all of them at their studios before deciding who would be invited to participate.
“The artists in this exhibition are not only printmakers; they bring a vast variety of expertise from other fields: photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture, bookmaking, installation and performance,” Bennett said. “While they respect the history of printmaking and the long held traditions of the medium, they also poke at the edges of the medium as they each seek to expand existing boundaries with a unique and compelling approach to their work.”
An opening reception is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 5.
Hyde Art Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with the exception of legal holidays. Admission is free and open to the public. Passes for visitor parking is available from the vending machine in Parking Lot 1, Section F. Parking is free in Lot 1 during the opening reception. The gallery itself is located in Building 25 of the Grossmont College campus, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon.
Further information is available by calling (619) 644-7299 or visiting www.grossmont.edu/artgallery.
