Mardis Gras Authority Figure by Dean Meeker
This is a print from a series of Mardi Gras images done in 1974 by master print maker Dean Meeker. It depicts a masked uniformed individual on horseback and is identified as an authority figure. The print is created using a technique developed by Meeker, serigraph polymer intaglio. This process allows an image to be built in layers adding depth, texture, and a 3-dimensional surface. It gives an intensity to the image that is unusual in prints. Meeker was drawn to mythological and fantasy themes, so it is no wonder he was attracted to the pageantry of the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This is an excellent example of his work.
Dean Meeker 1920-2002
Dean Meeker was born in Colorado. He moved east to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he completed both a B.F.A. and M.F.A. in painting with a 2-year interruption in his studies to serve with the American Army in WWII. While his degrees are in painting, he had exposure to printmaking at the Art Institute, and, while working during college, he was involved in silk screening at an advertising agency.
Dean Meeker is one of our favorite artists, as he is a true Wisconsin treasure. After receiving his M.F.A, he moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he spent his entire career working his way up from instructor in 1946 to Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1992, a tenure of 46 years. He continued to live in Madison until his death. During his tenure the University of Wisconsin-Madison was recognized as one of the top schools for graphic arts in the country. While the list of luminaries associated with the school is extensive, the presence of Meeker throughout the latter half of the 20th century contributed greatly to the reputation of the school. The book, Progressive Printmakers: Wisconsin Artists and the Print Renaissance provides an excellent overview of many of the outstanding artists during this period.
Another reason for our attraction to his work is our mutual admiration of the work of Paul Klee. To quote from the website http://www.deanmeekerstudios.com/ “He found his motivating interest in art reflected in the Paul Klee quote “Art is Process” - that one discovers principles through exploration, rather than allowing known principles to limit the work.” He demonstrated the commitment to process by pushing the boundaries of serigraphy and intaglio printing in innovative directions. He developed a novel printmaking technique using a combination of polymer plate relief prints (intaglios) and screen printing. The resulting process allows the construction of prints that have a three-dimensional surface. The intensity and depth of the images created using this method is astounding. This technique was so novel that it required the development of an entirely new type of press which he developed in conjunction with the engineer John McFee (a neighbor) which now bears their names, the Meeker-McFee motorized etching press. Legend has it that they came up with the idea over a bottle of wine. How civilized. A detailed description of the process is on the Dean Meeker Studios website and the interested reader is recommended to visit the site.
In recognition of his groundbreaking techniques, in 1958 he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to study European printmaking. This primarily took place at the highly influential Atelier 17 in Paris where he met his friend and sometimes collaborator Kaiko Moti. While in Europe he traveled extensively observing prints across Europe. He produced many works that show the influence of this trip. In contrast to his groundbreaking techniques, his subject matter is mostly presented in a representational style. It covers a broad range of topics including figures, literary themes, mythology, architecture (particularly archeological sites), and botanical (although these are rendered in a more abstract way). His work is recognized internationally and is held in multiple collections most notably, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, (all in New York), the National Gallery of Art and Smithsonian Institution, (Washington, D.C.), the Milwaukee Art Center, the Walker Art Center, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. The artist is the subject of an excellent book by Jack Leissring, Art is Process.
Price: $350
Size: 33.75 x 23.75 inches
Plate Size: 28 x 19.75 inches
Condition: Pristine
Medium: Serigraph
Subject: Figures & Portraits
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