Irving Petlin's Pastel Mastery Explored in Exhibition and Critical Essay
From October 30, 2017, until January 4, 2018, the National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South hosted 'A Tribute to Irving Petlin,' a tribute exhibition. Open to the public Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm, the event was organized in collaboration with Kent Fine Art. It included an essay by Max Kozloff, which was published by the National Arts Club and also featured on artcritical.com. Born in Chicago in 1934, Petlin trained at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has enjoyed a 55-year career, currently residing in Paris. His pastels, inspired by various artists, delve into themes of memory and displacement, often showcasing the Brooklyn Bridge and the Titanic's 1912 voyage.
Key facts
- Irving Petlin's exhibition 'A Tribute to Irving Petlin' was held from October 30, 2017, to January 4, 2018.
- The exhibition took place at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.
- Petlin was born in Chicago in 1934 and trained at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- He is a seasoned painter who primarily works with pastel, a medium he describes as having unique spreading and linear capabilities.
- Petlin's recent pastels include diptychs resembling ancient manuscripts with a red-brown tonality.
- His work 'Towed to Sea (1912)' references the Titanic's maiden voyage and sinking in 1912.
- Artistic influences include James Ensor, Edvard Munch, Alberto Giacometti, Matta, and Odilon Redon.
- Petlin was part of a Chicago group influenced by World War II trauma, Jean Dubuffet, and Francis Bacon, alongside Leon Golub and Nancy Spero.
Entities
Artists
- Irving Petlin
- Max Kozloff
- James McNeill Whistler
- Manet
- Degas
- Paul Cézanne
- James Ensor
- Edvard Munch
- Alberto Giacometti
- Matta
- Odilon Redon
- Jean Dubuffet
- Francis Bacon
- Leon Golub
- Nancy Spero
Institutions
- National Arts Club
- Kent Fine Art
- artcritical.com
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- Paris
- France
- Martha's Vineyard
- Gramercy Park South
- New York