John Armstrong: Engaged Abstraction and Prior-Armstrong Studio
John Armstrong: Engaged Abstraction and Prior-Armstrong Studio
February 6 – May 23, 2009 at Missoula Art Museum (MAM)
Missoula Art Museum (MAM) / John Armstrong has demonstrated mastery over many skills spanning the years. MAM is proud to host two separate exhibitions by this artist and master printer. The first exhibition John Armstrong: Engaged Abstraction accentuates Armstrong’s recent works, current vision, and practice. The second exhibition Prints from the Armstrong-Prior Studio accentuates Armstrong’s skills as a master printer and trusted collaborator. While the two exhibitions are related and accentuate Armstrong’s passion and strength as a printmaker, they have a significantly different feel and presence.
John Armstrong: Engaged Abstraction
Recent works by Master Printer John Armstrong highlight his strengths as an artist and printmaker. The twenty-one works to be featured in this solo exhibition were selected from Armstrong’s recent body of works by MAM’s Exhibitions Curator Stephen Glueckert. These works bring to the forefront the artist’s sensitivity, intuitive color sense, consistent instinct for compositional resolution, and ever present spirit of experimentation. Raised in Laurel, MT, with nine siblings, Armstrong has worn many hats in the art world, both inside and outside of Montana. In addition to being a professional artist, he has been an arts administrator, art educator, businessman, museum board member, press manufacturer, master printer, artist facilitator, designer, installer, and collaborator. His renaissance approach to the art world is rare in this time of specialization. The exhibition will be accompanied by an exhibition catalogue highlighting an artist interview.
Prints from the Armstrong-Prior Studio
This extensive selection of prints features over forty-five works by different internationally acclaimed artists who have used the Armstrong-Prior Print workshop in Phoenix, Arizona, and have relied heavily on John Armstrong’s expertise in producing this work. Armstrong’s collaborative approach to printmaking is one of the characteristics highlighted by the Armstrong-Prior Inc. Archives. The works were selected from the Archives by MAM’s Exhibitions Curator Stephen Glueckert and include works by Rudy Autio, Philip Curtis, Dorothy Fratt, Karen Jilly, Virgil Ortiz, Vernon Patrick, Akio Takamori, and Patti Warashina.
Meet John Armstrong on February 6, at 7 PM when he delivers an insightful gallery talk about artists and printing.
Missoula Art Museum (MAM)
www.missoulaartmuseum.org