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September Issue
2010
Winthrop University
in Rock Hill, SC, Offers Works by Edmund Lewandowski
Winthrop
University Galleries at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC,
will present the exhibit, Edmund Lewandowski: Precisionism
and Beyond, a traveling exhibition organized by the Flint
Institute of Arts in Flint, MI, on view in the Rutledge and Patrick
Galleries from Sept. 6 through Dec. 9, 2010.
When Edmund Lewandowski (1914-1998) painted, he wanted to illustrate
the beauty and energy of American industrialism. Now this retrospective
at Winthrop University Galleries will explore the prominent painter's
reflections on industry, man-made objects and his lasting influence
on the Rock Hill community and the art world.
The exhibit, guest curated by Valerie Leeds, Ph.D., the Flint Institute's adjunct curator of American art, includes approximately 45 works on loan from private collections, museums and galleries across the US.
In Rock Hill, Lewandowski was known as a prominent artist, activist and mentor. He served as chair of Winthrop's Department of Art and Design from 1973-84. The artist, born in 1914, grew up in the industrial environment of Milwaukee, WI, and his surroundings had a profound impact on his artistic development. Lewandowski became a standout in the Precisionist movement, an American painting style that depicted industrial scenes and architectural motifs, void of human figures as subjects, in a near-abstract manner.
Lewandowski's artistic
influence also extended beyond Precisionism. He built a reputation
as a major mosaic artist, helping create the well-known public War
Memorial in Milwaukee. Lewandowski's mural work has been
recognized nationally since the 1930s; he even collaborated with
the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression
and created murals across the Midwest.
"Edmund Lewandowski: Precisionism and Beyond marks the first-ever
retrospective of the artist's work in a fitting location, since
Lewandowski's legacy at Winthrop continues today," said Tom
Stanley, chair of the Department of Fine Arts and director of
Winthrop University Galleries.
"In his years at Winthrop, Ed brought a professional attitude to the Department of Art and Design and made ours the program of choice in the region," added Stanley. "Within the community he also established the ideal of the citizen artist for us to follow. He made a significant visual difference in Rock Hill and at Winthrop."
The galleries will offer
special weekend hours during the retrospective, with Precisionism
and Beyond available for viewing noon-4 pm on Sept. 18-19,
Nov. 6-7 and Nov. 13-14. Regular gallery hours are Mon.-Fri.,
9am-5pm, and galleries will be closed Oct. 15-18, Nov. 2 and Nov.
25-26, 2010.
This exhibit has been made possible in part by Williams and Fudge,
Inc., Rock Hill and other donors.
For further information
check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, contact Karen Derksen,
assistant gallery director, at 803/323-2493 or by e-mail at (derksenk@winthrop.edu).
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