California in Relief: A History in Wood and Linocut Prints
The story of the development of the relief print in California carries with it the story of the Golden State. The wood- and linocut and wood engraving techniques formed the basis of several distinctive art movements and cultural and political movements as well. Women formed a powerful and early voice in this media, as did the Labor movement and Latino artists. In the exhibit, there are nearly 100 works spanning more than a century of California history.
Especially in Northern California, printmaking has been in the forefront of several distinctive art movements that have influenced, and been influenced by, cultural and political events of our time. The prints and books are divided into eight areas of focus:
- the Arts and Crafts movement
- the Labor School
- Wood engraving; Asian influence
- Abstraction
- the GI Bill and the establishment of the university print department
- Latino art
and . . .
- Fine press print publishers
Characterized by technical virtuosity and innovation, these stunning woodcuts, wood engravings, linocuts and artists’ books represent the full range, power and beauty of the medium.
This exhibit particularly spoke to me because it is during hard times (whether they be political, economic, social, or even personal) that artists emerge. Surprisingly, printmaking is growing, despite being an ancient form of art and often categorized as a craft, instead of an art, because it can be duplicated. Artists take a stronger place in society during challenging times because they portray messages and depict different perspectives on what we may believe to be seeing.
It is exciting to be learning about a form of art that has relevance to the present, in the way that it can tell a story through vivid images and symbolism.
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