In the midst of our challenging era, many might find solace in art, which often serves as a form of therapy. Particularly during times of unrest, printmaking has provided artists with a means to express both personal reflection and social critique. At the IFPDA Print Fair, 80 exhibitors showcase a rich history of dissenting art, featuring works from figures like Francisco Goya and Kara Walker, affirming that challenging periods can indeed foster remarkable creativity.
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes’ series, ‘The Disasters of War’ (circa 1810–20), unflinchingly portrays the horrors of the Peninsular War. In the etching titled ‘No hay que dar voces (It’s No Use Crying Out),’ viewers are confronted with the relentless cycle of violence. Goya’s works were kept unpublished for 35 years after his demise to escape repercussions from King Ferdinand VII’s authoritarian regime.
German Expressionist Conrad Felixmüller’s 1921 lithograph, ‘Im Cabaret (Self Portrait with Ernst Buchholz),’ immerses us in the turbulent post-World War I era in Germany. With Adolf Hitler’s ascent in the Nazi Party amidst economic and political turmoil, the vibrant yet cautionary cabaret culture reflected the perils of ignoring rising authoritarian forces.
Kara Walker articulates, ‘The silhouette says a lot with very little information, but that’s also what the stereotype does.’ Her 2017 etching, ‘Resurrection Story with Patrons,’ employs silhouettes to explore the uneasy power dynamics and enduring legacies of slavery and racial injustice in America.
Israeli artist Orit Hofshi’s monumental woodcuts depict emotionally charged landscapes. In ‘Ephemeral Passage,’ the somber terrain with boulders and fog captures the ongoing human-made crises in the region. Similarly, Henri Matisse’s ‘La Tristesse du Roi (The Sorrows of the King)’ (1952) reflects his struggles with aging and illness, using the gouache découpée technique to craft large-scale works, inspired by Rembrandt’s portrayal of David’s harp-playing.
The IFPDA Print Fair will take place at the Park Avenue Armory from April 9 to 12. For further information, visit fineartprintfair.org.
