This exhibition celebrates the significant advancements in the field of contemporary collaboration in handmade paper art. Works by acclaimed artists from the 20th and 21st centuries who have reinvented handmade paper as an art form are highlighted, including seminal pieces by artists Helen Frankenthaler, James Rosenquist, and Frank Stella, among many others. Exclusively curated from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, this thoughtful selection of sixty-six works chronicles the pioneering achievements within the discipline and reveals how the field of handmade paper art was a natural advancement of and response to the historic relationship between print and paper. As an example of how innovations in printmaking occurred in tandem with the developments in hand papermaking, the exhibition includes early prints on handmade paper by artists such as Jasper Johns, as well as examples of handmade paper art by artists such as Mark Bradford and Glenn Ligon.
The professional studios that introduce artists to the medium of hand papermaking play a crucial role in fostering an environment where they can create works that are technically and conceptually diverse, innovative, and consistently flawless in craftsmanship. Most importantly, these works remain true to each artist’s unique concept and vision. This collaborative relationship between artists and master papermakers is a central focus of the exhibition. Master papermakers, printers, and collaborators serve as catalysts, enabling the creation of these remarkable works. Their skill, commitment to collaboration, and passion for the medium are evident throughout the pieces on display. Accompanying seminal works from Dieu Donne, exceptional collaborations from various publishers, including the Brodsky Center at PAFA, Experimental Workshop Garner Tullis, Gemini G.E.L. Magnolia Editions, Mixografia, Pace Editions, Shark’s Ink, Tandem, Two Palms, Tyler Graphics, and Universal Limited Art Editions are showcased. Widely recognized as a pioneer in the field, Dieu Donne continues to play a vital role in the evolution of creating handmade paper art with leading contemporary artists. It has been my privilege to work professionally with many of these artists and studios over the years, and I am honored that the exhibition debuted at the Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Dieu Donne, and will be hosted by the Asheville Art Museum, the Chazen Museum of Art, and the Parrish Art Museum.
Cynthia Nourse Thompson, Co-Curator
Professor and Director of Curatorial Affairs, Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art
Kennesaw State University School of Art and Design