"Brand X Editions: Innovation in Screenprinting" on view through Nov. 16 at Philadelphia Art Museum

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The print publisher, Brand X Editions, is gifting more than 45 years of work to the Philadelphia Art Museum.

"They've been around since 1979, producing the most amazing screenprints," says Louis Marchesano, Curator of "Brand X Editions: Innovation in Screenprinting" and Marion Boulton "Kippy" Stroud Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Conservation at the Philadelphia Art Museum. "We're the caretakers of their archive and we'll also be receiving one new impression of everything that they publish for the next ten years or so."

The artist, Marisol, has a work titled "New Chest, Peigan" on view. It's the largest print in the collection, printed on one sheet of paper.

Ninety of the works are on view through November 16 in a special exhibition called "Brand X Editions: Innovation in Screenprinting."

"And the gift includes everyone from the old standards, like Chuck Close and Alex Katz, to Jennifer Bartlett and Vija Celmins, and Rashid Johnson and Joel Mesler," he says. "And a whole new crew of young artists."

He adds that the museum is fortunate to be able to represent "a history of printmaking."

Brand X Editions worked with a range of artists to translate their work into limited-edition prints, produced by hand.

"I would start talking to the artist," says Bob Blanton, Founder and Master Printer of Brand X Editions. "We come up with an idea of what the artist really wants with the work."
They used creative techniques to achieve an artist's vision.

"We're not just trying to understand the words the artist is saying, but the feelings that he's trying to communicate behind the process," he says.

"And with that collaboration you end up getting a new work of art," says Marchesano.

The exhibition is arranged thematically in seven sections.

"The first gallery is about identity. It's called 'Who Are We?'," he says.

The next section features Chuck Close's 'Self-Portrait,' followed by a section on 'Pattern and Decoration.'

"And sometimes the decoration has a little bit of a political punch to it," says Marchesano.

"But a lot of these have to do with beauty, which is my main reason for working. I want to make things that uplift you, particularly now," says Artist Robert Kushner.

"This section here deals with 'Place,' sort of landscape and ideas about where we are and where we're going," says Marchesano.

There are sections on 'Illusion,' 'Figures' and 'Language.'

Joel Mesler's 'Half Full Half Empty' is printed on aluminum.

"The imagery, the technique, the production values are so high that people can't help but be wowed by it," says Marchesano. "There's a lot here to discover."

"Brand X Editions: Innovation in Screenprinting," is on view through November 16 at the Philadelphia Art Museum.

For more information:
"Brand X Editions: Innovation in Screenprinting"
Link to Tickets for Philadelphia Art Museum
Philadelphia Art Museum
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130