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Richard Serra: 1985-1996

January 5, 2019 – February 9, 2019

In 1994, Richard Serra stated, you can cover a surface with black without risking metaphorical and other misreadings. The use of any other color would be the extension of coloration, with its unavoidable allusions to nature. From Gutenberg on, black has always been synonymous with a graphic or print procedure. I am interested in the mechanization of the graphic procedure; I am not interested in the paint-allusion gesture.

For Krakow Witkin Gallery’s exhibition, “Richard Serra, 1985-1996, the works on view are neither illustrations of sculptures nor loose gestural sketches.  The pieces (either etching or paintstik/silkscreen) use the surface of the paper to create formally challenging situations where the density and texture of the black boldly challenge the rigidity of the rectilinear paper.  Balancing, expanding, holding, leaning and pushing are just a few of the verbs used to describe what the black areas are doing on/to/with the paper. The radicality of the textured surface further enunciates the dialogue between activity, form and material to create works that could only come from Serra’s singular vision.

Works In Exhibition

Exhibition View

Richard Serra Exhibition View
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Broad Cove Marsh II

Richard Serra Broad Cove Marsh II 1996 One-color etching

Image/paper size:  47 1/4 x 50 5/8 inches  (120 x 128.6 cm)
Frame size:  55 x 58 x 1 1/4 inches  (139.7 x 147.3 x 3.2 cm)
Edition of 35
Signed, dated, and numbered lower right in graphite
(Inventory #29755)

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Finkl Forge I

Richard Serra Finkl Forge I 1996 One-color etching on Lana Lanaquarelle Watercolor paper

Image/paper size:  45 3/4 x 47 3/8 inches  (116.2 x 120.3 cm)
Frame size:  48 1/2 x 49 1/2 inches  (123.2 x 125.7 cm)
Edition of 33
Signed, dated and numbered lower left in graphite
(Inventory #30152)

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Exhibition View

Richard Serra Exhibition View
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WM II

Richard Serra WM II 1995 Etching with aquatint on Watson handmade paper in two parts

Upper sheet size:  34 x 32 inches  (86.4 x 81.3 cm)
Lower sheet size:  32 x 32 inches  (81.3 x 81.3 cm)
Overall size:  66 x 32 inches  (167.6 x 81.3 cm)
Edition of 28
Signed and numbered on reverse
(Inventory #27647)

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Finkl Forge II

Richard Serra Finkl Forge II 1996 One-color etching on Lana Lanaquarelle Watercolor paper

Image/paper size:  47 3/8 x 47 3/8 inches  (120.3 x 120.3 cm)
Frame size:  48 1/2 x 49 1/2 inches  (123.2 x 125.7 cm)
Edition of 33
Signed, dated and numbered lower left in graphite
(Inventory #30153)

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Exhibition View

Richard Serra Exhibition View
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Exhibition View

Richard Serra Exhibition View
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For Joni

Richard Serra For Joni 1996 One color etching

Image/paper size:  53 x 47 3/8 inches  (134.6 x 120.3 cm)
Frame size:  56 1/8 x 50 1/4 inches  (142.6 x 127.6 cm)
Edition of 38
Signed, dated and numbered upper right corner in graphite
(Inventory #28808)

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Exhibition View

Richard Serra Exhibition View
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Exhibition View

Richard Serra Exhibition View
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Clara Clara II

Richard Serra Clara Clara II 1985 Paintstik on screenprint

Image/paper size:  37 x 72 inches  (94 x 182.9 cm)
Edition of 28
Signed and numbered
(Inventory #30191)

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Exhibition View “Vestuary I”

Richard Serra Exhibition View “Vestuary I”
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Vesturey I

Richard Serra Vesturey I 1991 Etching with intaglio

Image/paper size:  71 3/8 x 35 3/8 inches  (181.3 x 89.9 cm)
Edition of 35
Signed, dated and numbered upper left
(Inventory #BK.175)

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