STARK MUSEUM OF ART
NELDA C. & H. J. LUTCHER STARK FOUNDATION
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sarah Boehme, Director
409.883.6661
Gustave Baumann Exhibition Highlights Wood Block Printing
ORANGE, Texas, September 25, 2007 - Explore the process of printmaking using wood blocks with
Block by Block: Gustave Baumann Wood Blocks and Prints at the Stark Museum of Art October 5 - November 10, 2007. The exhibition shows the artist's mastery as a printmaker and offers a rare glimpse into the steps taken to create his finished pieces.
The exhibition begins with Baumann's Bound for Taos and includes the piece's preliminary sketch, seven color wood blocks, and ten proofs created with the wood blocks. Seven of these ten proofs display how each block printed, while the other three show combinations of colors. All lead to the final woodcut print that is created from the seven wood blocks. Other highlights of the exhibition are Mountain Gold and the five wood blocks used to create it, and one additional print, Beginning of the Fiesta.
A children's activity handout is available to help visitors understand the wood block process. "The Baumann exhibition activity handout is one step in planning a more comprehensive children's brochure or family guide to the Stark Museum. We hope to experiment with this exhibition to see how children and families use this handout. This will help for the future," said Sarah Boehme, director.
Gustave Baumann made a home in New Mexico shortly after his first visit in 1918. He was captivated by the southwestern sunlight and showcased the region's vibrant colors in his work. He often amplified his colors by overprinting the hues to increase their saturation, and he juxtaposed intense, complementary colors next to each other to heighten the vibrancy of his scenes.
Unlike most wood block artists, Baumann executed each stage of the wood block printing process himself. He designed the image, carved the wood block, and created the print. When asked why he chose wood block as his preferred medium, he stated simply, "I thought wood block printing would be easier than painting until I found out differently."
To create a wood block print, the artist first sketches a scene on heavy brown paper with a graphite pencil or charcoal. The sketched design is then transferred to a wood block, resulting in a reverse print of the actual image. The image is then traced in pencil with carbon paper beneath it to allow the offset of the image onto the wood block. The artist then carves the design into the wood block by cutting out the areas he does not want to print. The final print, such as those featured in the exhibition, is the result of several carved wood blocks, each representing a different color.
Located at 712 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas, the Stark Museum of Art is open to the public at no charge Tuesday through Saturday. Hours are from 10 am-5 pm. Group tours are available by appointment. For more information call 409.883.6661.
www.imaginuity.com
For permission to publish the below images, please contact Jillian Welker at Imaginuity Interactive: 214.413.2843 or jillian.welker@imaginuity.com. Gustave Baumann (1881-1971)
Bound for Taos, 1936
Woodcut on flax fiber paper
13 ½ x 17 inches (34.3 x 43.2 cm)
Stark Museum of Art, Orange, Texas
31.216/9S
Gustave Baumann (1881-1971)
Mountain Gold, c. 1920
Woodcut on flax fiber paper
13 ¾ x 17 inches (34.9 x 43.2 cm)
Stark Museum of Art, Orange, Texas
31.216/10O
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712 Green Avenue P.O. Box 1897 Orange, Texas 77630-1897 Phone: 409.883.6661 | |
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