Rugby Art Gallery and Museum welcomes The Printed Line

The Printed Line, the Arts Council Collection's new touring exhibition, opens on Saturday (21 September), showcasing the work of nearly 60 artists spanning the 20th century to the present day.
 
All the works utilise a variety of printmaking techniques to explore the potential of the printed line, from the thick, velvety line of drypoint and the heavy cross-hatching of etching to delicate wood engraving and boldly coloured screenprints.

The Printed Line includes Pablo Picasso's Two Women Resting, from The Vollard Suite series of prints which were inspired by the artist's passionate affair with his muse and model, Marie-Thérèse Walter.

Henri Matisse's woodcut, Le Grand Bois, also features in the exhibition, together with David Hockney's Two Boys Aged 23 or 24, one of a series of etchings he produced at the Royal College of Art after discovering the work of the Greek poet, Cavafy.

Contemporary artists who contribute pieces to The Printed Line include Bridget Riley, whose Firebird was her first print to use colour, and Rachel Whiteread, whose LOndOn 2012 explores the emblem of the Olympic Games.

The Arts Council Collection, the largest loan collection of modern and contemporary British art, contains more than 8,000 works from artists ranging from Francis Bacon to Grayson Perry.

Jill Constantine, director of the Arts Council Collection, said: "The Arts Council Collection has an outstanding collection of prints which encompasses work by a number of international artists.

"Sometimes seen as a 'lesser' art form, this exhibition shows how wrong that assumption is and what an important part of many artist's practice printmaking remains.

"It is one of our most accessible art forms and we hope this exhibition will encourage people to take up printmaking and perhaps join one of the many courses or studios up and down the country."

The Printed Line runs at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum until 9 November.

Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth and investment, said: "We're delighted to welcome The Printed Line to Rugby and give both residents and visitors the opportunity to see pieces from such renowned and acclaimed artists."

For more information about exhibitions and events at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, visit www.ragm.co.uk 

Photo caption: Untitled 2, 1969 - Lizzie Cox