Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
"Contemporary American etcher Joel Beckwith recently stated, “I am a graphic artist. My principal medium is etching. My subjects are exclusively figurative and primarily human . . . I was born, grew up, and was educated in New England. This is an area in which black and white draftsmanship has always had a stronghold. It is from this tradition that my work is based.”
Beckwith studied at Bowdoin College, Maine with figurative artist Thomas Cornell and Howard Warshaw (presumedly while Warshaw, regular faculty at University of California, worked on his mural “Deposition and the Daily News”). Beckwith graduated with a BA, 1971, then completed additional studies with Panos Ghikas at the Rhode Island School of Design.
His wife, curator of Elaine Beckwith Gallery, provided this information: “Another etching, part of the Purdue collection, is by David Itchkawich, ‘Serpents in the Meeting House’ . . . David was Joel’s mentor. When Joel was just out of college and beginning to exhibit his work, David took Joel under his wing and encouraged him . . . clearly advised that it is possible to earn one’s living as an artist. Joel believed him and they continue to enjoy close friendship”.
Beckwith’s distinguished exhibition history includes the Smithsonian Institution's traveling exhibition ""American Drawings III,” The Society of American Graphic Artists, The Boston Printmaker's National Exhibition, and the Miami International Print Biennial. Recent honors include Best in Show, 1996 Purdue University Small Print Biennial ""Sixty Square Inches” and Fellowship Award, Stratton Arts Festival (1998).
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