Kathryn Maxwell

Printmakers love to create exchange portfolios*. One of my favorite portfolios has been “Images 1990,” organized by Oscar Gillespie and Larry Schuh and composed of artists from throughout the U.S. The artists of “Images 1990” continue to be productive and influential artists. Many have influenced subsequent generations of printmakers through teaching. Unbelievably we are fast approaching the twentieth anniversary of this exchange portfolio. As a tribute to this tremendous group of artists, I have organized a reunion portfolio (tentatively titled “Reunion: Images 2010”). Thirty-four of the original 36 artists have agreed to participate. Completion date of the portfolio will be early 2010. I hope to unveil the portfolio in exhibitions that spring. Three portfolios will be available for addition to public collections. If you’d like more information on the project, please contact me or check back for updates on this site.

*For an exchange portfolio, each artist creates an edition of prints. One print from each artist’s edition goes into the collection of prints. Each participating artist receives one of the newly combined collections of prints. Additional folios may be sold or become part of a public collection.

A month long trip to Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, India overwhelmed my senses and provided tremendous inspiration. I was thoroughly charmed by the people, awed by the archaeological sites, amazed at the workmanship of the crafts and miniature paintings, and speechless in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu which were covered with carvings and alive with color. The expressions of faith encompassed all the senses and outsiders were welcome.

One of the most popular gods in the Hindu religion is the elephant headed Ganesh, who is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Small statues of Ganesh are mounted above or beside doorways. Larger images can be found in temples and smaller altars. My first image created upon my return, English Wallpaper Becomes Ganesha, is a print dedicated to the strength and resiliency of Indian culture. Later prints, for example Charge/Discharge, have not so obviously drawn on Indian imagery but utilize colors and concepts related to India and Hinduism. I look forward to exploring and incorporating my thoughts and experiences on this wonderful culture in future artworks.

screenprint, 29” x 22”, copyright Kathryn Maxwell 2009

screenprint, 29” x 22”, copyright Kathryn Maxwell 2009