The print above is a detail of Iréne Jensen, Troðnar slóðir l /The Paved Way 1, Etching

The Belmont Gallery of Art invites the public to the opening of its latest show: “Continental Drift: Printmakers Converge,” an exhibit of work by members of the Boston Printmakers and the Icelandic Printmakers Association.

The reception takes place this Friday, Oct. 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibit will run from Oct. 24 to Dec. 5.

The Gallery is located on the third floor of the Homer Building in the Town Hall Complex, 19 Moore St., right off Leonard Street in Belmont Center behind the Belmont Savings Bank building.

The 60-plus prints showcase a variety of ancient and modern printmaking techniques including etching, Chine-colle, silkscreens, monoprints, woodcuts, intaglio, lithography and digital and electro-photo processes.

This cross-cultural show was inspired by the Boston printmakers’ August 2014 trip to Iceland and the resulting collaboration between the two groups of artists.

“Continental Drift” showcases the similarities as well as the differences that exist between the two printmaking groups, but ultimately forges a bridge between the two cultures. “Continental Drift” showcases the art that was created during that process — first exhibited in Reykjavik two months ago and now displayed in Belmont and Newton.

The Scandinavian Cultural Center’s Nordic Hall in West Newton hosts a “Continental Drift” companion exhibit through November with a collection of recent prints by Icelandic artists “inspired by landscapes and human nature.”

The Belmont Gallery of Art will host an Artists Print Talk with American and Icelandic printmakers on Nov. 23, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Scandinavian Center’s Nordic Hall will host its Artists Reception and Talk, Thursday., Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

Society has long embraced the printed image: from the earliest depiction of saints in medieval woodcuts through Andy Warhol’s Pop Art silkscreens of modern day symbols. Printmaking as an art form is practiced around the globe—with the images as varied as the regions and cultures that practice the craft.  “Continental Drift: Printmakers Collide” gives art lovers the opportunity to celebrate printmaking traditions—new and old–from two unique–yet connected–world cultures: the US and Iceland.

Please visit the BGA’s website for gallery hours and directions and for more information. Nordic Hall Icelandic Prints exhibit/Artists Talk information can be found at www.scandicenter.org

Share This Article