Mentor Highlight / Michael Kareken at Highpoint Center for Printmaking

In his first collaboration with Highpoint Editions, on September 21, MCAD MFA mentor Michael Kareken presented his series New Monotypes at the Highpoint Center for Printmaking.

From Highpoint, "This exhibition includes a selection from Kareken’s 30 new black and white watercolor monotypes, exploring the Pacific Northwest landscape where Kareken grew up. Each print is a reminder of a location which holds special meaning to the artist, many of them taking on a subjective point of view, looking up or down, as a way to suggest a “child’s-eye” sense of scale or perspective. Michael adds “As a child I was overwhelmed by the drama of this landscape - its scale and ever-shifting quality of light and atmosphere made a tremendous impression on me. Those early experiences remain vivid in my imagination.”

In this series, "Kareken explored the art of monotypes by way of painting on thin polyester plates with watercolor. The artist chose to restrict himself to black and white primarily to establish a psychological tone and evoke a sense of memory, reflection, and distance towards his subjects. Michael notes “The medium is difficult to control – the watercolor floats, smears and puddles in unpredictable ways on the surface of the non-absorbent plate – but I value the direct, spontaneous quality that results from the process.”

Prints from New Monotypes may be purchased through Highpoint Editions.  New Monotypes will be on view in the Highpoint Editions Print Study Room from September 21 to October 27.

Photography by Yi Wan.