JANUARY 13 - MARCH 1, 2015
January 16, 2015 6-8 pm
Interview with a Master Printer 5 pm on January 16, 2015
A Texas Legacy of printmaking, Peregrine Press existed for over ten years in Dallas, first at the studio and gallery located at Peak and Ross just east of downtown Dallas and later at a larger studio in Deep Ellum on Main Street. Founded in 1981 by Mike and Jo Ann Hart with Gerry Lemke, Peregrine was one of the first fine art presses in Texas. The Harts and Lemke established their press with a commitment to collaborate with the emerging and established artists that lived and worked in Texas. Being located in Dallas gave Peregrine access to a group of young artists which included David Bates, John Alexander, Ed and Linda Blackburn, Dan Rizzie and also brought in seasoned Texas artists such as Otis Dozier, Joseph Glasco and Robert Gordy as well as many others. Artists from outside the Texas realm also came to their door, including a memorable collaboration with Jean-Michel Basquiat. Mike and Gerry shared master-printer responsibilities while Jo Ann maintained the gallery and business side of the operation. Realizing that more printing help was needed, Tom Piper, an experienced master printer was hired. Bill Lagatutta, currently the senior master printer at Tamarind, began as Peregrine’s master printer in 1986.
At the end of the ten years of work, over 600 titles (editions and monotypes) with over 90 artists had been created. The prints reveal the decade of the 80’s through the lens of the artists working at Peregrine. The prints exhibited at Flatbed represent a small selection of the work that was created.
Peregrine’s brilliant collaborations brought fresh appreciation to fine art prints in Dallas and across the state. The work that remains their legacy is recognized as master print works by art historians and collectors. Flatbed Press was founded in 1989 and its existence was inspired by Peregrine Press.
All the impressions in the exhibition are from the archives of owner/master printer Mike Hart and are offered for sale. Multiple impressions are available for purchase in most editions.