Opens January 26, 1999
Continues through March 5, 1999
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 6, 5–7 p.m.
ALBANY, NY—The University Art Museum begins the new year with Crossing the Threshold, an exhibition of work by 31 seminal twentieth century artists. Some are well known, others are lesser known; all are women 70 years or older and all continue to produce significant works of art. Crossing the Threshold is curated by Bernice Steinbaum, director of the Steinbaum/Krauss Gallery in New York City (SoHo) and includes work by Mary Adams, Eppie Archuleta, Louise Bourgeois, Leonora Carrington, Muriel Castanis, Elizabeth Catlett, Fay Chandler, Clyde Connell, Ruth Duckworth, Helen Frankenthaler, Grace Hartigan, Margo Hoff, Lois Mailou Jones (1905-1998), Gladys Lander, Edna G. Lazaron, Agnes Martin, Agueda Martinez, Ruth Nivola, Pat Passlof, Beverly Pepper, Beatrice Riese, Clare Romano, Elsie Tsosie Sandoval, Miriam Schapiro, Elizabeth T. Scott, Sylvia Sleigh, May Stevens, Toshiko Takaezu, Lenore Tawney, June Wayne, and Beatrice Wood (1893-1998). Ms. Steinbaum says she chose these 31 artists because their work continues "to have an originality and buoyancy that belies the fact that they are venerable pioneers of American art. These artists engage the world as though it has been seen for the first time."
Crossing the Threshold features work in a variety of mediums including prints, sculpture, painting, drawing, ceramics, weaving, and photography. Historical perspectives on the artists' contributions to twentieth century art are provided through supplemental label text and video documentaries.
It is hard to imagine what the current art scene would look like if the artists in Crossing the Threshold, and others who shared their affinities, had never fought for art world recognition. By breaking boundaries of gender as well as artistic tradition, their pioneering efforts have left an indelible mark on current art practices. In the exhibit's accompanying catalog, Ms. Steinbaum expresses the hope that in the future, "an exhibition exclusively devoted to artists who are women will be obsolete." What makes Crossing the Threshold unique is that it manages to provide a variety of historical contexts by which to access art that simultaneously acknowledges and negates gender and age barriers. After all concludes Ms. Steinbaum, "Isn't the test of art the art itself?"
Crossing the Threshold first opened at the Steinbaum/ Krauss Gallery in 1997. In addition to the University Art Museum the exhibit will travel through 2001 to fourteen venues across the United States including the Museum of Arts and Sciences, Macon, Georgia, Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, Mississippi, McAllen International Museum, McAllen Texas, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, Arizona, and the Hekel Union Art Galleries, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. Venues prior to the University Art Museum include Steinbaum Krauss Gallery, New York, New York, Brevard Museum of Art and Science, Melbourne, Florida, and the Spencer Museum Art, Lawrence, Kansas.
A fully illustrated catalog of the exhibit is available.
For further information, including photographs and artist interviews, call Corinna Ripps Schaming at (518) 442-4038.
Tuesday through Friday 10–5 PM
Thursday 10–7 PM (for this exhibition only)
Saturday and Sunday noon–4 PM
Closed Mondays to the public
Visit our WEBSITE: www.albany.edu/museum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Corinna Ripps Schaming
(518) 442-4035
University at Albany
State University of New York