“While Faulconer Gallery regularly exhibits travelling exhibitions by national and international artists, it isn’t often that we get to fill the space with works from our own collection,” said Daniel Strong, associate director of Faulconer Gallery and curator of exhibitions. “The Grinnell College collection has grown considerably since the gallery opened in 1999, and many of the works in ‘Portfolio’ are on display for the first time.”
“Portfolio: Artists Work in Series,” on display June 15 to Aug. 19, features print and photography portfolios from these artists:
- Edward Burtynsky
- Tacita Dean
- Glenn Ligon
- Catherine Opie
- Shahzia Sikander
- Kiki Smith
- Kara Walker
The works are part of the College’s permanent art collection.
The Grinnell collection is rich in portfolios, which allow an artist to elaborate on a theme throughout a group or series of prints. Strong points out “Portfolio” examples such as Canadian photographer Burtynsky’s photography taken at the shipbreaking yards of Bangladesh in 2000. All of the Burtynsky works were acquired in the past year and are exhibited in Grinnell for the first time. A portfolio by the late painter and printmaker Michael Mazur features 20 etchings and accompanying texts based on Dante’s Divine Comedy, also on view in Grinnell for the first time.
The gallery is hosting the public events this summer surrounded by these artists’ portfolios:
- At 7 p.m. Friday, June 15, the exhibition opens with sounds of Too Many Strings Band, including traditional bluegrass, folk ballads, Irish music covers, and original compositions.
- At noon Tuesday, June 26, curator Daniel Strong will give a gallery talk.
- From 12:15-12:50 p.m. Thursdays, June 21 to Aug. 16, join Monica St. Angelo for yoga in the gallery.
“Portfolio” is open June 15 through Aug. 19 during summer gallery hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Monday and July 4.
