PRESS RELEASE

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art presents works from major artists in abstract expressionist movement

EUGENE—(Jan. 20, 2006)—The University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art recently installed works by major artists including Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, Ashile Gorky, Barnett Newman, Frank Stella, Adolph Gottlieb and Willem de Kooning. The seven paintings, on loan through March, are part of the museum’s most recent rotation in its gallery for American and regional art that also features contemporary artist Ellen Gallagher’s “DeLuxe.”

“It is our mission to continually inspire repeat visits by not only offering diverse and intriguing special exhibitions, but by also regularly rotating works in our collections galleries,” said director David Turner. “Recent loans, including paintings by Vincent van Gogh and Henri Edmond Cross, have enabled us to further enhance our collections gallery installations.“

The most recent installation features paintings by major players in a post-World War II modern art movement in America known as Abstract Expressionism in which artists typically expressed themselves purely though the use of form and color.

“These paintings provide visitors with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of modern painting in our region by examining what was happening in the broader context of American art,” explained Lawrence Fong, curator of American and regional art.

Artists including Pollock (1912-56), Kline (1910-62), Gorky (1904-48), Newman (1905-70), Gottlieb (1903-74) and de Kooning (1904-97) formed what became known as the “New York School,” now considered to be the first American artistic movement of international importance.

Fong explained, “The painting by Stella is later and important in understanding a move towards blending commercial or graphic arts and painting, as well as the emergence of pop art.”

The new rotation in the museum’s gallery for American and regional art also features contemporary artist Ellen Gallagher’s portfolio “DeLuxe.”

“DeLuxe was one of the most anticipated artworks unveiled this year at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City,” said Fong. “Gallagher’s work has been compared to the pop images of Andy Warhol.”

The museum is located at 1430 Johnson Lane on the University of Oregon campus. The museum is open Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admissions fees are adults, $5; seniors (62 and older) and students (high school and non-UO college with ID), $3. Admission is free to museum members, students, faculty and staff members with ID, and children 13 and under. The museum offers “pay-as-you-wish MusEvenings!” every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and free admission to everyone the first Friday of each month.

For more information, contact Katie Sproles at (541) 346-0942.