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Juror’s Statement: Coming
of Age One of the pleasures
of selecting the prints for this portfolio was the physical size of the
prints. The intimacy of the
small-scale print is an experience lost in larger works that seek to compete
with paintings. Handling the works,
experiencing the paper tactilely as well as visually was a privilege. It is rare that a juror has the opportunity
to make a selection from the actual works rather than from slides or digital
images. As
I was looking through the many wonderful monotypes and monoprints
submitted for this portfolio, I began by searching for the most intriguing
images. Which ones captured my
attention and held it? The second time
through, I looked for subtlety. Some
of the compositions were quiet and nuanced, works that whispered rather than
calling for attention. Next I eliminated
those that seemed decorative or superficially attractive. The speed with which an image can be drawn
and printed, the ease with which color can be used in making a monotype,
carries the temptation to create flashy surface effects that do not add up to
a coherent expression. Accidental
effects are among the joys of creating a monotype, but by themselves they do
not created a compelling work of art. I looked for
originality and distinctiveness, not in the technique by which the image was
created, but rather in the overall impression. Finally, I selected those images that
struck an effective balance between control and spontaneity. Despite such varied and demanding criteria
for selection, I ultimately had to eliminate several excellent monotypes
because the size of the portfolio did not allow for all the worthy prints
that were submitted. It is a tribute
to the reputation and professionalism of the Monotype Guild of New England
that this portfolio attracted submissions from so many fine artists. Joann Moser Senior Curator, Graphic Arts Joann Moser Senior Curator, Joann
Moser has been a curator of graphic arts at the Moser
has organized several print exhibitions for the Smithosonian
including “Singular Impressions: The Monotype in In
addition to authoring exhibition catalogs, Moser has published on Jean Metzinger, the printmaking workshop Atelier 17 and
collaborative printmaking in the Moser is an advisor to the Washington Print
Club, and serves on the advisory boards of The Tamarind Papers, Pyramid
Atlantic and Hand Print Workshop International. She has served as a juror for
numerous national and regional exhibitions. Moser
earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from |