Export Quality
Craig Spankie
September 10 – October 25, 2010
Opening Reception | Friday, September 10 | 5:30pm

“I try to limit my involvement with the materials as much as possible - not destroy the unique nature of something, but create simplicity by combining color, texture and space.”

This exhibit has been two years in the making; created in Jackson, then in New Zealand when Craig moved back for several months. Faced with the prospect of transporting the majority of work from New Zealand to the USA, he decided to make the work small enough to fit into his checked baggage, a maximum weight of 46kg. Craig emptied years of collected contents from his shed onto an animal grazed front paddock to create most of Export Quality. Work was proudly created in New Zealand with unique and unsophisticated materials, giving a raw, real sense to the viewer. *Please note this exhibition will not be available for viewing September 13-16 due to a special event.

Sponsored by: Fighting Bear Antiques, 307 Catering and the Wyoming Arts Council

Modern Masters
Contemporary wood block prints by Chuck Close, Alex Katz, Richard Estes, Robert Cottingham, and others.
September 10 – October 25, 2010
Opening Reception | Friday, September 10| 5:30pm

Teton ArtLab presents this exhibition of wood block prints that gathers two decades of works printed by master printer Karl Hecksher. In collaboration with contemporary artists, Hecksher’s K5 Editions LLC produces limited edition wood block prints with Chuck Close, Alex Katz, and Richard Estes, to name a few. Working in a range of styles from Abstraction to Realism, the master printer brings into focus the perspective of each artist. The intimate connection between the artist’s brush and Karl Hecksher’s skill is apparent in these prints.

Each print is made by hand, and handmade paper is chosen to illuminate the colors. Numerous wood blocks are carved and printed many times, and this humble craft is taken to a new plateau. The surface, depth of color, and sensual quality of each print gives voice to the vision of the painter, and the attention of the printer. This exhibit shares the dialogue between the artist and printer, the process, skills, and techniques of wood block printing.

Many of the prints in this exhibit are the final working proofs know as the Bon A Tirer. The B.A.T as it is often signed by the artist, is the proof that sets the quality standard and indicates the artist approval to print the edition. Literally meaning Good To Pull.

We will be offering educational programming around this exhibit, including visiting artist workshop and gallery talks during August 29 – September 3.