June 17, 2014 Bellevue, WA– The groundbreaking exhibition Under Pressure, featuring prints from artists including Chuck Close, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, and Andy Warhol, will arrive next month at Bellevue Arts Museum. The collection traces printmaking’s rise to prominence in postwar American art, and shows the diverse ways artists have embraced and transformed the versatile medium.
Curated from Jordan D. Schnitzer’s extensive collection of over 8,000 post WWII prints, the exhibition highlights major currents in contemporary art, including Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Photorealism, and Minimalism. Further, it presents recent technological advancements that have reinvigorated the print’s role as a distinct art form.
Historically, printmaking has been underappreciated as it has often been associated with mass produced, commercial prints. Artists featured in Under Pressure, many famous for artwork in a variety of media other than printmaking, were integral in shifting this negative perception by treating printmaking as an equal and independent creative avenue. These artists were invigorated by the mechanics of printmaking because it challenged them to approach the creative process differently. A variety of techniques such as photogravure, lithograph, screen printing, woodcut, linocut, and laser cutting are represented in the exhibition.
Jordan D. Schnitzer generously offered Joslyn Art Museum the opportunity to develop Under Pressure from his extensive print collection in 2011. The exhibition is the 25th to be curated from his collection, which is the largest private print collection in the US. It has since traveled to several art institutions across the country. “There is no sense of ownership in my art, as I feel very much a steward of the work and a facilitator between these brilliant artists and the wonderful institutions that mount these shows so that we, the public, can share in the experiences that art brings to our lives.” said Schnitzer of his generosity.
Bellevue Arts Museum is grateful to host this traveling exhibition. Under Pressure strengthens BAM’s commitment to feature works that push boundaries, challenge notions of stereotypes and values, and leave audiences with a greater understanding of the fluidity of artistic expression.
Under Pressure: Contemporary Prints from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and his Family Foundation is organized by the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE and curated by Karin Campbell. The local presentation of this exhibition is curated by Stefano Catalani.
ABOUT BELLEVUE ARTS MUSEUM
Bellevue Arts Museum is a leading destination in the Pacific Northwest to experience art, craft, and design. BAM engages the community through exhibitions, programs, and publications, featuring regional, national, and international artists. Visit www.bellevuearts.org to learn more.
CONTACT
Karin Kidder, Director of Marketing and Communications
karink@bellevuearts.org