Label Type
DidacticLabel
Thomas Kettner Jr. (b. 1948 – d. 2020)
Untitled (brown X), date unknown
monoprint
30 x 37 in.
Gift Susan Kettner, sister, from the Estate of Thomas Kettner, Jr., 2021.28.7
Though Thomas Kettner spent most of his life in Tampa, he called Ybor City his home. For many years, he kept an artist studio in the historic district, embracing the Ybor City community and becoming a fixture in the arts scene. Kettner worked for notable local institutions such as Graphicstudio and the Tampa Museum of Art, and for a time was an assistant for internationally renowned artist Robert Rauschenberg. This untitled print was likely made during Kettner’s early artistic career as he experimented with materials and techniques. The monoprint is likely made from the impression of a palm frond, its fibrous textures mirrored to create a distinct ‘X’ shape with an earthy brown ink. Whether referencing Ybor City’s Palm Avenue or simply the tropical tree so often associated with Florida, this experimental print creates a bold impression that speaks to everyday life.
This work of art is a part of the HCC Permanent Art Collection. The HCC Art Galleries, through their Campus Loan Outreach Program, seek to share original art by collecting a diversity of works for the education and enjoyment of the HCC Community.