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James Denmark
THE FAMILY Signed Lithograph, Black Family Portrait, Collage, African American

1987

About the Item

THE FAMILY is an original hand drawn, limited edition lithograph by the African American artist James Denmark, printed using hand lithography on Arches paper 100% acid free. Rich, vivid multi color composition comprised of colored papers, printed fabric, wallpaper, magazine clippings, textures in a printed collage effect depicting an African American family portrait of a mother, father, baby and younger sibling. Bright coral, rose pink, warm reds, yellows complimented with lavender, cool blue and white, silver, and Matisse inspired black silhouette cutout forms for arms, hands and faces. The juxtaposition of bright attractive colors and collage-like shapes actively engage the viewer's eye and curiosity. Print size - 29 x 20.25 inches, unframed, excellent condition, pencil signed by James Denmark Edition size - 100, plus proofs Year published - 1987 Printer - JK Fine Art Editions Co., NY James Denmark, born in Winter Haven, Florida in 1936 was raised in an artistic family - his grandmother, a wire sculptor and quilt artist, exposed him to color and form at an early age. He was also influenced by his grandfather, a bricklayer noted for his unique custom design molds. Denmark has a natural feeling for the improvisational medium of collage, developing his own unique signature style. Utilizing brightly hand colored papers, fabric and textures, Denmark creates compositions that reflect African American heritage and culture. Denmark attended Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, FL where he studied under the artist and acclaimed African-American art historian, Dr. Samella Lewis, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. After graduating from FAMU, Denmark moved to Brooklyn, NY and began teaching art in the public school system. Denmark earned his Master of Fine Arts Degree at the prestigious Pratt Institute of Fine Arts in New York. After graduating from FAMU, Denmark moved to Brooklyn, NY and began teaching art in the public school system. Denmark earned his Master of Fine Arts Degree at the prestigious Pratt Institute of Fine Arts in New York. While at Pratt, Denmark was heavily influenced by the abstract expressionists, admiring such mainstream artists as Jackson Pollock, Clifford Still, William de Kooning. The African-American masters Norman Lewis, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and Ernest Crichlow instilled in him an appreciation of African/American artistic heritage and it was during this time that Denmark’s work underwent a stylistic transition as he began experimenting with collage. He has had over 60 one-man exhibitions and has participated in numerous group shows. His artworks are a part of well recognized private and corporate collections in United States, as well as in Mexico, South Africa, Europe, Japan and Africa, including New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Denmark has received numerous awards and commendations including the 39th Annual Printing Industry Award given by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and The Living Legends Award presented by the National Urban League.
  • Creator:
    James Denmark (1938, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1987
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 20.25 in (51.44 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Very fine condition, unframed, pencil signed A/P/(Artists Proof) aside from edition of 100, printers chop embossed on lower left. Print documentation/COA provided, from the master printers private collection.
  • Gallery Location:
    Union City, NJ
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU832311185922
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