B.

The United States Government presents a cultural presentation of a touring exhibition entitled Tamarind Impressions - Recent Lithographs. The 40 original lithographs were created in collaboration with the workshop's master printers. The prints in the exhibition, including both objective and abstract images, present a variety of technical approaches to lithography. The versatility of the medium is demonstrated through the use of the lithographic crayon, delicate tusche washes, blended inking, chine-collé and collage. Impressions of lithographs by such established artists as Philip Pearlstein, Judy Rifka, Fritz Scholder and Steven Sorman, as well as works by lesser-known artists, offer an exciting view of the contemporary printmaking scene in the United States. All of the lithographs were printed by hand from stones and metal plates drawn by the artists; all editions are limited and fully documented.

The lithographs in this exhibition are an excellent representation of the broad expressive potential of the medium, both aesthetically and technically. They are also the product of a unique workshop, The Tamarind Institute, which focuses on the training of printers and which is often credited with having been the essential force in the review of American lithography. Since Tamarind's inception, respect for the medium, on the part of artists as well as of collections and art dealers, has been restored, and technical possibilities have been expanded greatly. American lithography has come a long way from the small black and white prints typical of the early part of the twentieth century. Tamarind is recognised as a vital force in the revival of American lithography.

Founded at a time when serious artistic interest in printmaking was at a low ebb, Tamarind served as a catalyst to what has become a renaissance of the medium. Initially funded by a series of grants from the Ford Foundation, Tamarind was established as a division of the College of Fine Arts of the University of New Mexico in 1970. The Institute continues an active programme of research and publication as well as a unique professional printer training programme. Many Tamarind-trained printers now operate successful workshops or teach lithography in all parts of the United States and abroad.

Tamarind Impressions is generously supported by the United States Information Service and the Museum Directors' Federation.

('Tamarind Impressions', Bulletin, No.78, March/April 1992, p.3)