Jim Dine: A Life in Printmaking Opening
Event Description:
In the spring of 2014, Jim Dine donated 206 prints from his personal archives to the Museum of Art/WSU, in honor of art patron Jordan D. Schnitzer and as a stimulus to the campaign for a new museum. The gift spans the career of this important international artist, who lives part of each year in the eastern Washington town of Walla Walla. The collection makes WSU the largest holder of Dine's prints of any university museum in the world.
Jim Dine entered the New York art world to great acclaim with his performance art "Happenings" and mixed media assemblages in the late 1950s. Although identified among the first generation of Pop artists, Dine's work has always been idependent of labels. His signature images of hearts, tools and bathrobes suggested popular culture references, but in his hands they became opportunities for a strong romantic, expressionist sensibility. Over time he expanded the realm of imagery to embrace classical and mythic themes, along with figurative work and portrature.
Dine is one of those rare artists who has been active as a creative printmaker throughout his career and for whom prints are artistically equal to, and closely interact with his work in other media; painting, drawing, sculpture and photography. Today, at age 80, he continues to produce new prints with great passion and energy.
Jim Dine entered the New York art world to great acclaim with his performance art "Happenings" and mixed media assemblages in the late 1950s. Although identified among the first generation of Pop artists, Dine's work has always been idependent of labels. His signature images of hearts, tools and bathrobes suggested popular culture references, but in his hands they became opportunities for a strong romantic, expressionist sensibility. Over time he expanded the realm of imagery to embrace classical and mythic themes, along with figurative work and portrature.
Dine is one of those rare artists who has been active as a creative printmaker throughout his career and for whom prints are artistically equal to, and closely interact with his work in other media; painting, drawing, sculpture and photography. Today, at age 80, he continues to produce new prints with great passion and energy.
