CELEBRATED artists, including Henri Matisse and David Hockney, feature in a new exhibition at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.
The Printed Line, the Arts Council Collection’s new touring exhibition, opens on Saturday (September 21), showcasing the work of nearly 60 artists spanning the 20th century to the present day.
The exhibition explores different techniques of producing a printed line – from the thick line of drypoint and the heavy cross-hatching of etching to delicate wood engraving and boldly coloured screenprints.
Highlights include Pablo Picasso’s Two Women Resting, from The Vollard Suite series of prints which were inspired by the artist’s passionate affair with his muse and model, Marie-Thérèse Walter.
Henri Matisse’s woodcut, Le Grand Bois, also features in the exhibition, together with David Hockney’s Two Boys Aged 23 or 24, one of a series of etchings he produced at the Royal College of Art after discovering the work of Greek poet Cavafy.
Contemporary artists who contribute pieces to the exhibition include Bridget Riley, whose Firebird was her first print to use colour, and Rachel Whiteread, whose LOndOn 2012 explores the emblem of the Olympic Games.
The Arts Council Collection, the largest loan collection of modern and contemporary British art, contains more than 8,000 works from artists ranging from Francis Bacon to Grayson Perry.
Jill Constantine, director of the Arts Council Collection, said: “The Arts Council Collection has an outstanding collection of prints which encompasses work by a number of international artists.
“Sometimes seen as a ‘lesser’ art form, this exhibition shows how wrong that assumption is and what an important part of many artists’ practice printmaking remains.
“It is one of our most accessible art forms and we hope this exhibition will encourage people to take up printmaking and perhaps join one of the many courses or studios up and down the country.”
Rugby Borough Council’s growth and investment spokeswoman Coun Jill Simpson-Vince said: “We’re delighted to welcome The Printed Line to Rugby and give both residents and visitors the opportunity to see pieces from such renowned and acclaimed artists.”
The Printed Line runs at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum until November 9.
Visit www.ragm.co.uk for more information about exhibitions and events at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.
