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2005 Exhibition Year

The Corcoran 2005 Print Portfolio: Drawn to Representation

3/26/2005 to 8/21/2005

For over a century the Corcoran Gallery of Art has been an important venue for modern art in the nation's capital, organizing regular exhibitions of painting, sculpture, and printmaking. In 2005 we are pleased to demonstrate our support and encouragement of contemporary printmaking with a new venture, the first Corcoran Print Portfolio, featuring works by twenty-four accomplished printmakers. This exhibition marks the publication of the portfolio, and includes both the portfolio prints and additional examples by these artists from the Corcoran's permanent collection and on loan from printmakers and private collectors.

The 2005 Portfolio celebrates two important aspects of the contemporary print scene: an abiding interest in the traditional craft of printmaking, and the continuing use of representation as a viable mode of artistic expression. Each of the twenty-four artists was chosen for proven achievement in the graphic arts, for distinctive draftsmanship, and for a keen sense of design. These are, in every sense, printmakers's printmakers. The artists included also have demonstrated a clear preference for representation in their creation of contemporary imagery. All art is essentially abstract, but these printmakers continue to value referential elements as a significant aspect of their work.

In selecting the 2005 Portfolio artists, we were mindful that some of the most intriguing printmaking in the world today occurs in more isolated settings, produced by teachers, independent printmakers, and small workshops composed of just a few printers and technicians. These individual printmakers and smaller shops create images that are sometimes powerful, often quirky, but always compelling in their individuality. Our goal with this project is to celebrate the achievements of contemporary printmakers and to encourage collectors, scholars, artists, and students to enjoy a deeper appreciation of the graphic arts. We are pleased to present the Corcoran 2005 Print Portfolio: Drawn to Representation, replete with outstanding works by twenty-four highly skilled printmakers from around the globe.

Curator :: Eric Denker