Davis prints exhibited this month in Sangren
March 1, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- James G. Davis of Oracle, Ariz., is recognized for both his paintings and prints, however, it's the prints that will be featured at his show in Gallery II, Sangren Hall March 11 to 27.
The Davis exhibition is free and open to the public. Gallery II hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Thursday, March 14, Davis will be present for a reception in Gallery II from 4 to 6 p.m.
The exhibition consists of collographs, color lithographs, monoprints, and black and white etchings. During a weeklong visit to campus, March 11-16, Davis will produce a color lithograph in collaboration with Curtis Rhodes, WMU professor of art.
On Saturday, March 16, the Department of Art will hold a "Community Family Day." Gallery II will be open from noon to 4 p.m., and there will be art activities with art education students for children ages seven to 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Room 1103 of Sangren Hall.
Davis' work has been described as bold, filled with a multitude of visions, and constructed of multi-layered imagery. Davis creates the illusion of moments in time that are heightened with the sense of drama. He also adds elements of emotion, such as apprehension, fear, lust and passion to his paintings and prints. The subject matter of his work comes from bars, streets, zoos and natural history museums, as well as, film and poetry.
Davis says, "I use printmaking as a bridge to painting, but not believing that painting is more important. It is a way to find connections."
Davis was born in Springfield, Mo., in 1931. He holds B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees from Wichita State University. The Redmann Gallery in Berlin, Germany, represented Davis for 14 years. Now, he is with the Klaus Brennecke Gallery in Berlin, where he had a solo show this past July. Other recent one person shows were at Gallery 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the University of Missouri, and in galleries in Santa Fe, N.M., and Scottsdale, Ariz. He has been included in shows at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Springfield Museum of Art, The National Museum of American Painting, and the Smithsonian Institution.
For additional information, contact the Department of Art Exhibitions Office at 269 387-2455.
Media contact: Jackie Ruttinger, 269 387-2455, jacquelyn.ruttinger@wmich.edu