Eldon L. Cunningham - Printmaking: A Primary Form of Expression

Copyright (c) 1992 by the University Press of Colorado
P.O. Box 849
Niwot, Colorado 80544

All rights reserved.

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The University Press of Colorado is a cooperative publishing enterprise supported, in part, by Adams State College, Colorado State University, Fort Lewis College, Mesa State College, Metropolitan State College of Denver, University of Colorado, University of Northern Colorado, University of Southern Colorado, and Western State College.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Cunningham, Eldon L., 1956

Printmaking: a primary form of expression / Eldon L. (E.C.) Cunningham.

p. cm.

ISBN 0-87081-247-5 (alk. paper)
1. Prints, American. 2. Prints - 20th century - United States. 3. Printmakers - United States - Biography - History and criticism. I. Title.

NE508.C86 1992769.92'273 - dc20

CIP

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences-Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials. ANSI Z39.48-1984

Jacket art: STS-15, Juergen Strunk (front); Fragments from Eastern Turkestan Prayer Rug, Lloyd Menard (back).

Text and jacket design: Carol Humphrey.

There are basically two types of print production in the United States. The most recognized type involves a collaboration between a well-known artist and master printers in contract production shops and publishing studios. The second type is self-publishing, in which the individual artist is responsible for the production from the conception of idea to the completed print and distribution.

The production-shop prints gain the most recognition because of a complex and strong financially supported system of galleries, museums, critics, and craftspersons trained to print blue-chip artists whose major works are largely produced in other media. Ideally, the printmaking workshops are run with integrity and honesty, and both the printers and the artists have intimate knowledge of both the production process and aesthetic goals. Undeniably, studios including, but not limited to, Universal Limited Art Editions, Tyler Graphics, Graphicstudio, and Tamarind Lithography Workshop, which publish artists such as Jim Dine and Robert Rauschenberg, have had a positive and reputable influence on printmaking. Many smaller shops that deal with lesser-known artists also exist and maintain high standards, resulting in images of exceptional technical and aesthetic quality.