Jack Tworkov's 'Extreme Middle' Explored in UBS Gallery Exhibition and Yale Press Publication

Between August 13 and October 27, 2009, the UBS Art Gallery in New York City presented 'Jack Tworkov: Against Extremes,' highlighting the artist's creations over a span of fifty years. The exhibition's title alludes to Tworkov's essays in 'The Extreme of the Middle,' which was edited by Mira Schor and released by Yale University Press. Central to Tworkov's philosophy was the idea of a creative 'middle' that harmonized outside influences with personal identity. The display charted his artistic journey from early pieces such as 'Still Life with Pitcher and Grapes' (1946) to later works like the 'Knight Series' (1975) and 'Compression and Expansion of the Square' (1982). Tworkov, a professor at Yale, drew inspiration from Willem de Kooning yet remained stylistically diverse. Additionally, a collection of Tworkov memorabilia was exhibited at the Archives of American Art.