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Exhibition: OP-ED Art: Image in the service of ideas


OP-ED Art:  Image in the service of ideas

At noon an artist gets a call from an editor with the substance of an op-ed piece to be run the next day.  By 10 PM the artist must design an image that projects the essence of the story, without the use of words. The term “Op-Ed” – newspaper shorthand for “Opposite the Editorial Page”- is a response to a current event or social issue from an individual’s point of view, published in an established media outlet. As evident in this exhibition, the creativity of these images is arresting.  What is the artist saying?  How do I respond?   Sometimes the title of the op-ed essay is important; sometimes the image is more incisive than the title. But, in every instance they show that a simple drawing can capture a complex idea.

In contrast to our usual view of an artist as free to use his or her creativity and imagination unconstrained, an Op-Ed artist must respond to a very specific text or commission with a novel, gripping, provoking image.  S/he must satisfy an editor, revise when ordered, all under a newspaper’s tight deadline. As seen in the exhibition, the final images are finished, elegant works of art. These artists have mastered the fusion of art and journalism.

While the inspiration for this exhibition stemmed from appreciation of the editorial pages of the New York Times, the images presented here appeared not only in that publication, but in national newsweeklies such as TIME and Money, academic journals, industry trade magazines and in a few instances, commissioned work that was never published. Presented in the exhibit are original pen and ink drawings, prints, paintings, collages, and digital art by six artists who have achieved international acclaim and awards for their insightful work:  Doug Chayka, Brad Holland, Frances Jetter, Alex Nabaum, Eiko Ojala and Bruce Waldman.

Curated by Elizabeth Saperstein and Nancy Warner

Opening: Thursday, January 19, 2017 6:30-8:00PM with a hands-on workshop.

Event Location and Ticket Information

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Pelham Art Center
155 Fifth Ave
Pelham, NY
Handicap Accessible? Yes

Date: Thursday, January 19, 2017 - Saturday, March 25, 2017
Times: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Ticket pricing:
Free event

Presenter: Pelham Art Center
Presenter Phone: 9147382525
Presenter Website: pelhamartcenter.org