SUArt Galleries opens new exhibitions featuring contemporary art, World War II-era magazine cover illustrations and American woodblock prints

SUArt Galleries opens new exhibitions featuring contemporary art, World War II-era magazine cover illustrations and American woodblock printsNovember 27, 2006David L. Princedlprince@syr.edu

The SUArt Galleries, located in the Shaffer Art Building, is pleased to announce the opening of three new exhibitions beginning Dec. 12 featuring contemporary art since 1960, World War II-era Time magazine cover illustrations and 20th century American woodblock prints.

“Meaning and Metaphor”Through March 9, 2007

The exhibition examines contemporary art since 1960 with a group of 10 large paintings and two distinctly different sculptures. Made by American and British artists, the works challenge preconceived notions of what art is and its purpose.

Several pieces reject the idea that art needs to be realistic. Large paintings by Bernard Cohen and Walter Darby Bannard explore abstraction in uniquely different ways. Bannard’s “Sun Flood” (1972) is a late example of abstract expressionism, while Cohen’s “Somewhere Between” (1975) pushed op art to its philosophical extreme.

Other works examine the role of narration in art. Robert Birmelin’s “Night Driving” (1964), Sidney Goodman’s “Eclipse” (1964) and Rico Lebrun’s “Lazarus” (1962) develop stories that leave the viewer with more questions than answers.

“War News and Strange Brews: The Art of Boris Artzybasheff”Through March 9, 2007

Boris Artzybasheff was a Russian emigre artist who painted more than 200 cover illustrations for Time magazine. His most important work dates to World War II, when he depicted the politicians, military leaders and issues that governed the course of the conflict. His unique abilities in portraiture led Time to select him to paint several “Man of the Year” covers, including portraits of Joseph Stalin and Harry Truman.

Artzybasheff was possibly more famous for his illustrations that gave machinery human characteristics. His sly talent for choosing just the right amount of human anatomy gave each machine a personality that ranged from sympathetic to sinister. Viewers were compelled to have an emotional reaction to the machine and its purpose.

“American Woodblock Prints” Through Jan. 21, 2007

Fifty images illustrate the diversity of 20th-century American woodblock printing. Featured artists include Milton Avery, Fritz Eichenberg, Werner Drewes and Jim Dine.

The exhibition displays the work of more than 40 artists who made woodblock relief prints an important part of their artistic output. Divided into thematic groups, the show allows the viewer to see how different artists utilized the media throughout the century to create landscapes, urban scenes, figurative images and expressionist pictures. Many women artists not only worked in these media but had a profound impact on their use and popularity.

The SUArt Galleries is located in the Shaffer Art Building and is universally accessible. The three exhibitions are free and open to the public Tuesday-Friday from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Parking is available in the Marion lot. The gallery space will be closed from Dec. 23-Jan. 1 for the holidays. For more information, call 443-4097 or visit http://suart.syr.edu.