Special “EYE” to Watch
by June Mattingly
Flatbed Press in an exhibition at the Austin Museum of Art
Flatbed Press receives well-deserved attention for its contributions to printmaking at the Austin Museum of Art through February 12
“Advancing Tradition: 20 Years of Printmaking at Flatbed Press,” in respect of a distinguished printmaking workshop in Austin, is a timely event to show the significance of this medium in a more affordable price range, of course depending on the reputation of the artist, matching paintings in creative aesthetics and technical skill.
James Surls, ”Night Vision,” 1990, woodcut, 40 x 77 inches
The exhibition at AMOA is comprised of two parts in order for the public to fully appreciate Flatbed’s contributions and the artists who have made prints at this press during the past 20 years. It starts its national tour here and consists of fifty original prints created at Flatbed Press. In the second part, Collections Selections shows works in other media by several of the Flatbed artists drawn from the Museum’s collection installed next to that artist’s print to experience how it compares and contrasts with its original creation. A selection of tools and print matrices are exhibited alongside the prints in an effort to make the echnical aspects of printmaking more accessible.
