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Susan Teller Gallery
Louis Schanker: Woodcuts on Paper, Plaster, and Wood
Louis Schanker: Woodcuts on Paper, Plaster, and Wood
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Louis Schanker (1903-1981) was a master of mid-twentieth century American modernist printmaking. Also a sculptor and painter, his approach was consistently innovative. Just in this group of works it is clear that each subject required its own approach to the medium – here the woodcut. He also made intaglios and monotypes.
In the early days of the New Deal programs Schanker was co-director (with Lynd Ward) of the NYC Relief Division of the printmaking programs, made murals for public buildings, and was one of the Ten Whitney Dissenters. (Although he had a picture on view in the museum at the time.) In the 1940s he taught at the New School for Social Research and through that had a role at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17. In 1949 he began teaching at Bard College where he stayed until his retirement.
- Susan Teller, April, 2020
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Image: Louis Schanker, Abstract Landscape, 1945
In all of this work he (Louis Schanker) seeks to express new relationships between organic and geometric forms and objects in motion. The thrust and counter thrust of movement, whether in a polo game or in a repeated theme of music, take on fresh graphic meaning and enjoy free range of expression. An admirably independent artist, he aspires to impart to the observer a sense of participation, and to interpret in abstract but highly personal terms, the life about him.
-Una Johnson, Curator, Brooklyn Museum of Art exhibition catalogue, 1943
Andrew Herman, Louis Schanker, 1936, made for Federal Art Project.
Louis Schanker
In the early days of the New Deal programs Schanker was co-director (with Lynd Ward) of the NYC Relief Division of the printmaking programs, made murals for public buildings, and was one of the Ten Whitney Dissenters. (Although he had a picture on view in the museum at the time.) In the 1940s he taught at the New School for Social Research and through that had a role at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17. In 1949 he began teaching at Bard College where he stayed until his retirement.
Full Biography
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