BRAD DAVIS SCREEN PRINT BAMBOO & ROCK DIPTYCH: Brad Darius Davis (American, b. 1942), screen print on rag paper depicting bamboo and rock, signed and numbered, "Brad Davis Bamboo and Rock '93 22/28," embossed Berghoff-Cowden Editions stamp, image: 50" x 38", archivally framed: 53.875" x 42".

ABOUT THE BERGHOFF-COWDEN EDITIONS COLLECTION: The Berghoff Art Gallery first opened in the 1980's as Soho South Gallery in Safety Harbor, Florida. In 1988, Lois Berghoff and Dorothy Cowden evolved the Gallery into the Berghoff-Cowden Editions, a collaborative, screen print workshop first located in a converted warehouse by the University of Tampa, Florida and ultimately settling in New Port Richey, Florida. The workshop specialized in publishing unique and small editions of hand-pulled screen-prints and monoprints. The environment created within this experimental workshop inspired artists to innovate conventional screen printing techniques in a creative manner never seen before or since. Their editions included hand-painting, collage, flocking, cutting and stitching, paper manipulation such as folding, layering and cutting as well as the incorporation of exotic fabrics and layered Japanese papers.

The eclectic creative-processes of the workshop attracted a diverse, global group of renowned artists working in several movements including abstraction, expressionism, realism, sculpture and pattern and decoration. A partial roster of artists who create exceptional works in this space includes: Miriam “Mimi” Schapiro (Canadian, American, b. 1923 – d. 2015), Brad Davis (American, b. 1942), Frank Faulkner (American, 1946), Sam Gilliam (American, b. 1933), Roberto Juarez (American, b. 1952), George Sugarman (American, b. 1912 – d. 1999) and Robert Rahway Zakanitch (American, b. 1935). The workshop also invited Italian artists Marilu Eustachio (Italian, b. 1934), Oliviero Rainaldi (Italian, b. 1956) and Cloti Ricciardi (Italian, 20th / 21st centuries).

Recognizing the importance of this collaboration, The Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, Florida, curated and exhibited a collection of these works from the collection of Dorothy Mitchell entitled, “Expanding Expressions” this exhibit was supported by the Polk Museum of Art, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council and was exhibited throughout the United States at several prominent museums from 1997 until early 2000.

Rare-Era is honored to offer hand-selected pieces from this magical time directly from the Berghoff Personal Collection, these choice examples of the editions have never been offered publicly!

Refs. 1.) Lois & Linda Berghoff. 2.) Bennett, Lennie. “Paper as a Malleable Medium,” St. Petersburg Times. Published July 13, 2003, http://www.sptimes.com/2003/07/13/news_pf/Floridian/Paper_as_a_malleable_.shtml, accessed: October 28, 2017. 3.) Bennett, Lennie. “The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art Reinvents its Space and its Collection, Tampa Bay Times. Published November 12, 2011. http://www.tampabay.com/features/visualarts/the-leepa-rattner-museum-of-art-reinvents-its-spaceand-its-collection/1200603 , accessed: October 28, 2017. 4.) Schroeder, Ivy. “Expanding Expressions: Contemporary Master Prints, UM St. Louis Gallery 210, ” Riverfront Times. Published December 15, 1999, https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/expanding-expressions-contemporary-masterprints/Content?oid=2475571, Accessed: October 28, 2017.

Excellent.