DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF

DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF
TRAVELING EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERIES
MARCH 2011
ABOVE:
Self-Portrait (Red and Black), 2004
ON THE COVER.
top: detail, Kill-Joy: to the Passions of Kathe Kollwitz, 1975-76
bottom: detail, Study for Kill Joy [Kathe Kollwitz], 1975
DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF
JEROME WITKIN
Traveling Exhibition Prospectus from the
Syracuse University Art Galleries
PremierE venue:
SUArt Galleries
September 8–October 23, 2011
AVAILABLE FOR LOAN
January 15, 2012–December 31, 2013
Institutional collaborators:
(partial listing)
THE PALMER MUSEUM OF ART, University Park, PA
EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART, SYRACUSE, NY
JACK RUTBERG FINE ARTS, LOS ANGELES, CA
MUNSON-WILLIAMS-PROCTOR ARTS INSTITUTE, UTICA, NY
MEMORIAL ART GALLERY, ROCHESTER, NY
WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AND
THE COLLECTION OF THE ARTIST
Contents:
Exhibition Abstract. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Exhibition Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Proposed Exhibition Checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Planned Activities and Proposed Programs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Exhibition Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Illustrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
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DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF JEROME WITKIN
EXHIBITION ABSTRACT
DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF
For decades, Jerome Witkin has been one of America’s leading figurative painters. His work
springs from a profound love of drawing, a critical intelligence, and an empathetic sensibility. It
is said that he carries forward the grand Western European tradition of history painting into our
era through visionary dramatic narratives. Many of his finest paintings are done in multiple large
panels, each section presenting a different chapter of an unfolding story. The scale of these
works pushes the viewer back to comprehend the whole, while the surfaces he creates pull the
viewer close to the canvas to admire the beauty of the brushwork.
While Witkin’s painterly technique has the appearance of spontaneity, the foundation of his
practice is drawing. He is a superb draftsman who enjoys drawing both for its own sake and
as a means of working through the challenges of building large compositions. Drawing allows
Witkin to study various possibilities before he commits brush to canvas
Witkin, whose career as a teacher at Syracuse University School of Art and Design spans four
decades, helps his students begin to appreciate the high demands of building a career as an
artist. He has known an enviable number of artists central to the development of 20th century
American painting and he has studied the history of art with great care. In the classroom studios
he brings all of this knowledge of drawing, painting and history to bear as he encourages and
critiques his students. Alumni remember the lessons they learned in Witkin’s classes.
The Art of Jerome Witkin is reflective of the artist’s masterful handling of the figure, emotions, and
the evocative power of narrative painting. This exhibition is a celebration of Witkin’s career as
an artist-teacher and a major force in contemporary painting. In this dual role he has excelled,
achieving standards of excellence worth emulating.
TRAVELING EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
right: Francine Street Posing in Anger
[study for Division Street], 1984
bottom: Division Street, 1984-85
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DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF JEROME WITKIN
The Two of Us, Bergen-Belson, 1945 and Israel, 1951, 2009
TRAVELING EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
EXHIBITION DETAILS
ORGANIZED BY
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERIES
CURATED BY
Dr. Edward Aiken
Senior Curator, SUArt Galleries
Program Coordinator, Graduate Program in Museum Studies
EXHIBITION TOUR
January 15, 2012- December 31, 2013
EXHIBITION MATERIALS
NUMBER OF OBJECTS
40 Paintings and Drawings by Internationally recognized artist Jerome Witkin
DIDACTIC MATERIAL
High Quality wall mounted graphics include:
Introductory Panel
Biographical Panel
Supplementary Text Panels
INCLUDED PUBLICATIONS (see Proposed Exhibition Costs, pg. 7)
Exhibition Catalog:
Drawn to Paint: The Art of Jerome Witkin
Syracuse University Art Galleries, 2011
BOOK BY JUNE 1, 2011 TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF PARTICIPATING VENUES PRINTED
IN THE EXHIBITION CATALOG
Brochure (Handout):
Includes checklist, introductory text, and support info
* can be customized with borrowing institution’s logo
and statement for an additional cost
Educational Packet:
Designed for middle school and high school teachers and College level instructors
EXHIBITION REQUIREMENTS
SPACE REQUIREMENTS
300 linear feet
Wall height: minimum 10’
SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
Shipping arrangements will be orchestrated by the Syracuse University Art Galleries. Borrowing
institutions are responsible for outgoing shipping fees.
BOOKING PERIODS
8-12 weeks plus installation and de-installation
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DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF JEROME WITKIN
DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF JEROME WITKIN
WORKING CHECKLIST May 2011
PAINTINGS WITH STUDIES
The Rounds Twins, Before the Camera, 2005
oil on canvas
81 x 63 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Study for The Rounds Twins,
Before the Camera
mixed media drawing and collage
45 ½ x 34 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Division Street, 1984-85
oil on canvas
63x75 / 63x81 / 63x87 inches
Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute
Francine Street Posing in Anger
[study for Division Street], 1984
pencil on paper
24 x 19 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Subway: A Marriage, 1981-83
oil on canvas
72x48 / 72x54 / 72x60 / 72x66 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Maurine Lorincz in Subway, 2003
mixed media drawing and collage
29 ¼ x 22 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Kill-Joy: to the Passions of Kathe Kollwitz, c1975-76
oil on canvas
73 x 79 inches
The Palmer Museum of Art
76.47
Study for Kill-Joy: to the Passions of Kathe
Kollwitz, 1975
pencil on paper
19 x 25 ¼ inches
The Palmer Museum of Art
76.126
Study for Kill Joy [Kathe Kollwitz], 1975
pencil on paper
16 ¼ x 11 ¼ inches
The Palmer Museum of Art
84.3
The Two of Us, Bergen-Belson,
1945 and Israel, 1951, 2009
oil on canvas
6’6 x 6’ / 6’6 x 9’3”
Collection of the Artist
Study 2- Stacey French posing for the Torn and the
Mending [The Two of Us, Bergen-Belson], 2009
23 ½ x 26 ½ inches
Collection of the Artist
PORTRAITS AND SELF PORTRAITS
Inside, Outside, 1976
oil on canvas
50 x 48 inches
Gift of the American Academy and Institute of Arts
and Letters, Hassam and Speicher Funds, 79.9
Everson Museum of Art
Self-Portrait (Red and Black,) 2004
mixed media drawing
24 x 18 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Self-Portrait in Amsterdam, 2001
charcoal on paper
22 ½ x 18 ½ inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Painter and Model, 2008
oil on canvas
6’10” x 6’
Collection of the Artist
Chelsea Fierst, 2009
oil on canvas
23 x 26 inches
Collection of the Artist
Sarah Miles, 2009
oil on canvas
23 ½ x 26 ½ inches
Collection of the Artist
Stacey French, 2009
oil on canvas
23 ½ x 26 ½ inches
Collection of the Artist
Jennifer Samson (Second Study,) 2007
pencil on paper
13 x 11 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
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TRAVELING EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
Sara Nora Medwid, 2006
pencil on paper
34 x 22 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Words: Sara in Pain, 1999
oil on canvas
32 ½ x 31 ½ inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Study # 1 of Alison Miller, 1982
pencil on paper
19 x 24 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Left Hand as Actor, 1998
lithograph on wove paper
16 x 18 inches
Collection purchase
SUAC 1999.0082
NARRATIVE PAINTINGS
Box of Algerian Dates, 1972
mixed media
19 x 25 ¼ inches
The Palmer Museum of Art
73.55
The Act of Judith, 1979-80
oil on canvas
60 x 60 inches
The Palmer Museum of Art
83.45
Beating Station, c1989-1990
oil on canvas
42 1/2 x 132 1/2 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Bob Bersani in the Studio, 2006
oil on canvas
48 x 38 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
The Insult and Young Martin, c2007-2008
oil on canvas
30’ long
Collection of the Artist
Entering Darkness, c1998-2002
oil on canvas
36’ long
Collection of the Artist
Roofies, 2005
oil on canvas
64 x 48 inches
Collection of the Artist
Little Theatre: study for Death as an Usher, 1981
oil on canvas
30 ¼ x 30 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Left Hand...Steadily Employed, 1998
lithograph on wove paper
13 x 19 inches
Collection purchase
SUAC 1999.0081
Hands as Actors in Our Twentieth Century, 1998
lithograph on wove paper
15 ½ x 18 inches
Collection purchase
SUAC 1999.0080
DRAWINGS
Study for Kyla H., Asleep, 2005
mixed media drawing
33 ¾ x 21 ½ inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Study for Terminal, Figure of Va-Va, 1986
pencil on paper
24 x 17 ½ inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
The Beauty Contest
(Noose/Tag on Neck,) 1996
charcoal on paper
23 ¼ x 18 ½ inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Hanna Posing, 2003
charcoal on paper
24 x 18 inches
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
Bride-Noir, c2010
84 x 36 inches
drawing
Collection of the Artist
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DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF JEROME WITKIN
Planned Activities and Programming
Education
Lesson Plans for Scholastic Communities
Middle School to High School Teacher’s Packets
Educational themes that stem from the exhibition can include the use of narrative in painting, the
self portrait, academic drawing, the use of the sketchbook and drawing in the artist’s process.
VISITING LECTURE
Lecture by the Artist
Lecture by the Curator
Borrowing institutions will be responsible for any expenses related to visiting lectures.
DIGITAL MEDIA
A range of supplemental digital media
will also be available on the exhibition’s
website, including interviews and
explanatory conversations with the
artist and the curator, podcasts about
works included and digital sketchbooks
that illustrate the artist’s process when
developing his paintings. Scannable QR
coded labels and web addresses can be
provided with the exhibition loan.
EXHIBITION FEE
The cost for the exhibition is $15,000.
Borrowing institutions are responsible for
outgoing shipping fees.
EXPLAINATION OF FEES
Borrowing Institutions are also responsible for fine art insurance coverage during the time
period that includes delivery of the exhibition materials, installation, display period, and
dismantling. Borrowing institutions are responsible for outgoing shipping fees. Charges will
be based on standard shipping during the period of January 15, 2012- December 31, 2013,
participating museums will pay a pro-rated shipping fee but no more than $7,500.00.
Each participating museum will receive 250 exhibition brochures and 10 copies of Drawn to
paint: The Art of Jerome Witkin included with the exhibition fee. Additional catalogs, brochures
or any customization can be negotiated with the Syracuse University Art Galleries.
BOOK BY JUNE 1, 2011 TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF PARTICIPATING VENUES PRINTED
IN THE EXHIBITION CATALOG
TRAVELING EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
The Act of Judith, 1979-80
CONTACT
Emily Dittman
Collection and Exhibition Coordinator
Syracuse University Art Galleries Traveling Exhibition Program
Shaffer Art Building
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13244
T: (315) 443-4097
F: (315) 443-9225
E: [email protected]
Visit the exhibition online: http://suart.syr.edu/witkin
NOTE: Please submit all requests in writing via email or by mail for consideration. You will
receive confirmation within 2-4 weeks, or as soon as the schedule and your facility report have
been approved.
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DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF JEROME WITKIN
ILLUSTRATIONS
Study for Kill Joy [Kathe Kollwitz], 1975
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TRAVELING EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
Kill-Joy: to the Passions of Kathe Kollwitz, 1975-76
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DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF JEROME WITKIN
The Rounds Twins, Before the Camera, 2005
Studies for the The Rounds Twins,
Before the Camera
TRAVELING EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
The Beauty Contest (Noose/Tag on Neck,) 1996
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“Jerome Witkin is a painter of psychological and moral allegories who can draw like
Ingres… in combining stage management of complex compositions, and inch-to-inch paint
handling, Witkin’s only peer is Lucian Freud.”
— Kenneth Baker, San Francisco Chronicle
“...superior, often astonishing, skill as a painter”
— Peter Frank, LA Weekly
“Jerome Witkin is a master of narrative figuration...unequivocal masterpieces...remarkable
for their painterly flair, dramatic concentration and excruciating empiricism...in the grand
visionary manner of the Old Masters, however modern…their theme...Conveying the sheer
joy of painting...stunning drawings...It is rare to see such psychological complexity...in
contemporary art. Indeed, there are few painters working today who have as consummate
and vivid a sense of the human drama, in all its personal and social complexity as Witkin
does.”
— Donald Kuspit
“Jerome Witkin charges the realism of his paintings with Action-Painting technique, tour-deforce draftsmanship and emotionally loaded narration.”
— Art In America
“Few artists today are able to do what Jerome Witkin can do with paint...Witkin challenges
us to extend and deepen our encounters with, and our perception of, reality.”
— Theodore Wolff, The Christian Science Monitor
“The greatest figurative painter in America.”
— R.B. Kitaj
“Jerome Witkin is the most skilled draftsman of the human figure that I know.”
— Mark Tansey
“I know of no other artist who has such understanding of color and paint”
— Claudio Bravo
DRAWN TO PAINT: THE ART OF
2011 SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERIES TRAVELING EXHIBITION PROGRAM