The public is invited to attend the opening of the William Kentridge exhibition at the Art Museum of WVU today (March 29) at 6 p.m.
The Universal Archive by William Kentridge includes a very tight-knit group of linocut prints printed onto pages from various books, including early copies of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary and Encyclopedia Britannica. The gestural brushwork of each of these prints is suggestive of Japanese Sumi-e painting and reference many subjects that Kentridge is known for, birds, a coffee pot, a typewriters and trees.
"William Kentridge is one of a handful of truly great artists of our time," said Bob Bridges, museum curator. "It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to bring this exhibition to our Museum."
Kentridge has a vast body of interrelated work in drawing, printmaking, sculpture, film, theatre, opera, and puppetry. Whether it is the charcoal drawings used in his films or the brushwork in his prints the artist has an unmistakable style. "My drawings don't start with a 'beautiful mark'," writes Kentridge, "It has to be a mark of something out there in the world. It doesn't have to be an accurate drawing, but it has to stand for an observation, not something that is abstract, like an emotion."
The exhibition and opening reception is free and refreshments will be provided.
For more information visit the Art Museum website.