Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art (SDMA): Exhibitions

Defining Art
Recent Acquisitions 2005-2007

D. Nice, Hudson Island, 1999
Don Nice, Hudson Island, 1999. Gift of Don and Sandra Nice

The intellectual and aesthetic importance of a museum’s permanent collection rests upon its breadth, depth, and quality. Collecting art at SUNY New Paltz is a long-standing imperative, diligently pursued for almost six decades, first by a visionary “art committee” of faculty members, and later by the five directors who fostered the museum program at the university. Since the collection’s inception in 1939, objects have come to the museum in a number of different ways, but most commonly through donations from collectors, art dealers, and the makers of the objects themselves, the artists. Over the years funds donated to the museum and grants to support acquisitions have also enabled the SDMA to purchase works of art.

Mamette van Hamel, Necklace, ca. 1990

Mamette van Hamel, Necklace, ca. 1990. Gift of Arthur A. Anderson

L. Rivers, Small on the Phone, 1981

Larry Rivers, Small on the Phone, 1981
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York

The decision to accept an object into the permanent collection is made with great consideration about its relevance to existing collections and particularly its relevance to the museum’s mission. Since 2001, the SDMA has concentrated its collecting in three areas: American prints and paintings (with a strong emphasis on art relevant to the heritage of the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions), photographs, and metalwork. This focus is premised upon the museum’s pedagogical and public service responsibilities as part of a “regional university,” the experience and expertise of staff, collection-sharing partnerships that have been developed over the last ten years, and the prominence of the art studio programs at SUNY New Paltz. With these things in mind, the collection has grown to be a significant cultural and teaching resource for the campus and community.

l. Locurto,/w. Outcault, Confirmal EisenlohrBL 1sph, 1998

Lilla LoCurto & William Outcault, Confirmal EisenlohrBL 1sph(8/8)7_98, 1998. Gift of Alfred M. Prince, M.D.

Jan Sawka, Post-Cart #11, 1987. Gift of the Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York

Defining Art: Recent Acquisitions 2005-2007 presents more than 50 works of art selected from the 350 objects received during the previous two years. These works allude to the aforementioned qualities that make our collection important: they define its personality, underscore its mission-based foundation, and pay homage to the generosity of the donors and partners that continue to shape it. This exhibition highlights additions to the collection that fill gaps in core collections, amplify areas of existing strength, and expand holdings by specific artists.

Eugene Atget, Prison, ca. 1900

Eugene Atget, Prison (Demoli), ca. 1900.
Gift of Howard Greenberg

Lisa Gralnick, Iris Ring, 1999 Lisa Gralnick, Iris #2, 1999
Gift of the artist, in honor
of Kurt Matzdorf

Museums are unique institutions that underline their distinction through the holding of singular items and the pursuit of distinct and appropriate missions. The impressive growth and ever-increasing importance of the permanent collection at the SDMA, and its unique personality rooted in the history of the College and the region, underscores its value and relevance to the teaching mission of the College and to the community at large. The wonderful objects acquired over the last two years represent a maturing of the SDMA’s holdings, and a focusing of purpose and vision that defines not only its character but also its future.

Neil C. Trager, Director

Bernice Abbott, Rene Creval, ca. 1920

Berenice Abbott, Rene Creval, ca. 1920 (reprinted ca. 1970). Gift of Howard Greenber

Ralph Gibson,Burgundy Canal, Bourgogne, 1992

Ralph Gibson, Red Poppy Field, Bourgogne, 1992
(from the portfolio France Near
and Far). Gift of Steve Shane,
New York Cit

Mike Disfarmer, Ed and Mamie Barger, 1939-1946

Mike Disfarmer, Ed and Mamie Barger, from The Heber Springs Portraits, 1939-46
(printed later)
Gift of Peter Miller

Works in the Exhibition

Berenice Abbott, American
Peggy Guggenheim, ca. 1925
(printed 1970’s)
Gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2006.029.005

Berenice Abbott, American
Rene Creval, ca. 1920 (reprinted ca. 1970)
Gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2006.029.006

Eugene Atget, French
Prison (Demoli), ca. 1900
Albumen print, 6 ¾ x 8 ¼ in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2006.029.007

Joan Barker, American
Underwater #6, 2004–2005
Pigmented inkjet print, 20 x 33 in.
Gift of Dennis Moore and Joan Barker
2005.008

Jamie Bennett, American
Drawing for Bottle with Two References, ca. 1988
Mixed media, 12 x 9 in.
Gift of the artist
2005.046.006

Stanley Boxer, American
Self Portrait, 1990
Color etching, 14 ¾ x 11 ¾ in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.003

Stanley Boxer, American
Self Portrait, 1990
Color etching, 14 ¾ x 11 ¾ in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.004

Stanley Boxer, American
Self Portrait, 1990
Color etching, 14 ¾ x 11 ¾ in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.003

Debbie Fleming Caffery, American
Pa Pa, 1987–94
Photogravure, 17 ¾ x 17 5/8 in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2005.070.120

Debbie Fleming Caffery, American
Enterprise, 1985–94
Photogravure, 17 ¾ x 17 ¾ in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2005.070.121

Henri Cartier-Bresson, French
Untitled (landscape), ca. 1960
Gelatin silver print, 6 5/8 x 9 ¾ in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2005.070.056

Sandro Chia, Italian
Self Portrait with Fish, 1979
Etching, 8 ½ x 6 ½ in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.016

Sandro Chia, Italian
Fish Bearer, 1983
Etching, 12 ½ x 8 ¾ in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.015

Sharon Church, American
Proposal for Brooch in Ebony and Gold, ca. 1988
Gouache, prismacolor pencil, 3 3/8 x 3 1/16 in.
Gift of the artist
2005.043.001

Jim Cotter, American
Fish Stick Fork, 1974
Bronze, 8 1/4 x 2 1/2 x 1 in.
Gift of Jamie Bennett
2005.046.003

Gregory Crewdson, American
Natural Wonder, 1990
C-print, 20 x 24 in.
Gift of David A. & Helaine Dorsky
2007.039

Mike Disfarmer, American
Ed and Mamie Barger, from “The Heber Springs Portraits”, 1939-46
(printed later)
Gelatin silver print, 11 ¾ x 7 in.
Gift of Peter Miller, Little Rock, AR
2006.030

Helen K. Garber, American
World Trade Center, 1997
Selenium-toned silver print, 15 ½ x 23 1/8 in.
Museum purchase
2007.032.003

Ralph Gibson, American
Red Poppy Field, Bourgogne, 1992 (from the portfolio “France Near and Far”)
C-print, 17 x 11 3/8 in
Gift Steve Shane, New York City
2005.067.007

Ralph Gibson, American
Burgundy Canal, Bourgogne, 1992
C-print, 20 x 16 in.
Gift Steve Shane, New York City
2007.067.009

Mark Goodman, American
Wendy Rice, 1971 (from the series “A Different Kind of History, Millerton, New York: 1971–1991”)
Gelatin silver print, 9 3/16 x 9 ¼ in.
Gift of Mark Goodman, In Memory of Elaine Bloch, Sylvia Hoyt Clark, and Louise Orton. Three Millerton residents who made me feel at home.
2005.005.04

Mark Goodman, American
George (Skipp) Miles, 1978 (from the series “A Different Kind of History, Millerton, New York: 1971–1991”)
Gelatin silver print, 9 3/16 x 9 ¼ in.
Gift of Mark Goodman, In Memory of Elaine Bloch, Sylvia Hoyt Clark, and Louise Orton. Three Millerton residents who made me feel at home.
2005.005.043

Lisa Gralnick, American
Iris #2, 1999
Etching, 6 7/8 x 4 7/8 in.
Gift of the artist, in honor of Kurt Matzdorf
2005.058.002

Lisa Gralnick, American
Iris Ring, 1999
18 karat gold, 1 ¾ x ¾ in.
Gift of the artist, in honor of Kurt Matzdorf
2005.057

Myra Mimlitsch Gray, American
Spoon Study, 1993
Etching and drypoint
Gift of the artist
2005.022

Yevgeniya Kaganovich, American
Pearl Necklace, 2005
Latex, fresh water pearls, 8 ¾ in. diam.
Gift of Nadeihda Ivavovna Zhirhareva
2005.020

Barbara Kasten, American
Construct XI-B, 1981
Unique Polaroid, 9 ½ x 7 ½ in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2005.070.118

Stuart Klipper, American
Berg in Fog, near Brabant I, Gerlache Strait, Antarctica/from the yacht ‘Warbaby’ (KB-1), 1987 (from “Bearing South: Antarctica at Sea”, 1991)
C-print, 12 x 38 in.
Gift of David A. & Helaine Dorsky
2006.034.001

Stuart Klipper, American
Tabular Berg from the Astrolabe Glacier, Dumont d’Urville Sea Southern Ocean (in the immediate vicinity of the magnetic south pole), from the USCGC Polar Sea, Antarctica, 1989 (from “On Antarctica”, 1989)
C-print, 20 x 60 in.
Gift of David A. & Helaine Dorsky
2006.034.002

Keiko Kubota, Japanese
Facade and Essence, 1989
Copper, 72 x 51 x 22 in.
Gift of the artist
2007.028

Leon Levinstein, American
Untitled (man leaning against fire hydrant), n.d.
Gelatin silver print, 13 5/8 x 10 7/8 in.
Gift of Havey John Osterhoudt, In memory of Ronaldo Johnson
2004.030.001

Lilla LoCurto & William Outcault, Venezuelan
Confirmal EisenlohrBL 1sph(8/8)7_98, 1998
Fujiflex, lamination, and aluminum, 48 x 74 ½ in.
Gift of Alfred M. Prince, M.D.
2006.028

Tanya Marcuse, American
Mannequin (neck and shoulders), 2002–2003 (from the series “Undergarments and Armor”)
Palladium print, 5 5/8 x 4 13/16 in.
Gift of the artist
2005.064.003

Tanya Marcuse, American
Helmet (in conservation), 2002–2003 (from the series “Undergarments and Armor”)
Palladium print, 4 ¾ x 3 ¾ in.
Gift of the artist
2005.064.001

Tanya Marcuse, American
Collapsible Bustle, Bone and Lace, 2002–2003 (from the series “Undergarments and Armor”)
Palladium print, 5 ¾ x 4 5/8 in.
Gift of the artist
2005.064.002

Lee Anne Morgan, American
Through the Windows of Time, 2006
Gicleé print on watercolor paper, 17 x 30 in.
Gift of Arthur A. Anderson
2007.036.002

Abelardo Morrell, Cuban
Book: Portraits by Shirlandaio and Botticelli, 1993
Gelatin silver print, 12 x 9 3/8 in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2005.070.116

Don Nice, American
Hudson Island, 1999
Watercolor, 22 ½ x 30 in.
Gift of Don and Sandra Nice
2006.019

Nathan Oliveira, American
Acoma Hawk IV, 1975
Screenprint, 30 x 24 ¾ in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.018

Earl Pardon, American
Untitled (brooch), 1983
Sterling silver, 14kt gold, ebony, enamel, shell, rhodolite, ruby
12 x 10 ½ x 1 ¾ in.
Gift of the Estate of Earl Pardon
2005.041.002

Earl Pardon, American
Paint Patch (Bracelet), 1987
Painted enamel, topaz, amethyst, ruby, rhodalite, sterling silver
3 3/8 x 3 1/16 x 1/8 in.
Gift of the Estate of Earl Pardon
2005.041.001

Sharon Portelance, American
Covet the Pure (brooch), 2000
Sterling silver, 22 kt. gold, 14 kt. white gold, glass, 4 x 3 x 1 in.
Gift of anonymous
2005.037

Robert Rauschenberg, American
Arcanium XII, 1981
Color lithograph, 22 ½ x 15 ½ in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.020

Robert Raushenberg, American
Untitled, 1981
Color lithograph, 22 ¾ x 15 ½ in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.019

Larry Rivers, American
Small on the Phone, 1981
Photo lithograph, 16 ½ x 23 in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.021

Charles Rosen, American
Untitled (village stream), n.d.
Charcoal, 12 x 8 ¾ in.
Gift of Katharine W. Worthington-Taylor
2007.029

Janet Russek, American
Stem, 2000
Gelatin silver print, 10 x 7 3/4 in.
Gift of Scheinbaum & Russek, Ltd., Santa Fe, New Mexico
2005.010.006

Jan Sawka, Polish
Post-Card #11 (from portfolio “36 Post Cards), 1987
Handcolored drypoint etching, 19 ¼ x 25 in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.022.011

Jan Sawka, Polish
Post-Card #7 (from portfolio “36 Post Cards), 1987
Handcolored drypoint etching, 19 ¼ x 25 in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.022.007

Jan Sawka, Polish
Post-Card #8 (from portfolio “36 Post Cards), 1987
Handcolored drypoint etching, 19 ¼ x 25 in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.022.008

Jan Sawka, Polish
Post-Card #34 (from portfolio “36 Post Cards), 1990
Handcolored drypoint etching, 19 ¼ x 25 in.
Gift of Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, New York
2007.010.022.034

David Scheinbaum, American
Ghost Ranch, New Mexico [Shadow of cross with deer tracks], 1990
Gelatin silver print, 13 5/8 x 17 ½ in.
Gift of Scheinbaum & Russek, Ltd., Santa Fe, New Mexico
2005.010.012

Seneca Ray Stoddard, American
Luzerne Falls, 1876–1891
Vintage albumen print, 13 ¼ x 10 1/8 in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2005.070.038

Paul Strand, American
Portrait, Carpenter, Charente, France, ca. 1951
Gelatin silver print, 5 7/8 x 4 ¾ in.
Gift of Melissa Harris
2006.031

Josef Sudek, Czechoslovakian
From “A walk on Kampa Island”, 1963–1976
Vintage gelatin silver print, 6 7/8 x 9 1/8 in.
Gift of Howard Greenberg
2005.070.043

Norman Turner, American
Near Slabsides, 2004–2005
Oil on canvas, 43 1/4 x 56 ½ in.
Gift of Norman Turner
L2007.041

Mamette van Hamel, American
Necklace, ca. 1990
Sterling silver, jadite, 13 x 8 ½ x 1 ¼ in.
Gift of Arthur A. Anderson
2006.023.001

Mamette van Hamel, American
Choker, 1990
Sterling silver, lapis, jadite, opal chips, amethysts
Gift of Arthur A. Anderson
2006.023.002

Susan Wides, American
Hudson River Landscape, 10.19.04 (Haines Falls), 2005
C-print, 50 x 40 in.
Gift of the artist
2007.042

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Exhibitions

Defining Art Recent Acquisitions 2005-2007

Defining Art
Recent Acquisitions 2005-2007