January 25 – March 31, 2025
Drawn to the idea of fostering a profound cross-cultural connection through the power of art, the Los Angeles Printmaking Society (LAPS) and the Artists Proof Studio (APS) in Johannesburg, South Africa, enthusiastically present a collaborative print exchange, At The Threshold, 2024. This portfolio will be exhibited at the Durón Gallery at SPARC (SOCIAL AND PUBLIC ART RESOURCE CENTER) from January 25 – March 31, 2025.
Democracy is precarious. Against a backdrop of tenuous political leadership, persistent wars and the prevailing trauma of a global pandemic, our sense of democratic freedom and social justice has been challenged. The theme, At The Threshold, was born out of this moment in time, which is simultaneously an expression of being in a place of hope and a place of uncertainty. This print exchange is between 12 South African artists and 12 U.S. artists who were selected to engage in conversations, exchange ideas and enrich their understanding of what democracy and freedom looks like from opposite sides of the globe. The resulting portfolio, consisting of 24 prints for the year 2024, is a visual dialogue which explores the uncertainty of being at the threshold in the year 2024, as both South Africa and the United States held democratic elections. With new administrations in both countries, the precariousness of being on “At The Threshold” will indeed be a theme that will continue into 2025 and beyond.
ARTIST PAIRS
Jackie Nach (USA) – Kim Berman (SA)
Marianne Sadowski (USA) – Heidi Mielke (SA)
Curtis Bartone (USA) – Nkosinathi Ndlandla (SA)
Eddy Lopez (USA) – Lucas Nkgweng (SA)
Susan Denniston (USA) – Ilse Pahl (SA)
Angela Oates (USA) – David Madlabane (SA)
Cathie Crawford (USA) – Bokang Mankoe (SA)
Karen Fiorito (USA) – Reneilwe Mathibe (SA)
Linda Lyke (USA) – Methembe Molefe (SA)
Rebecca McCannell (USA) – Nico Ras (SA)
Sydney Cross (USA) – Pontsho Sikhosana (SA)
Katherine Sheehan (USA) – Lebohang Motaung (SA)
Organized by
Durón Gallery at SPARC (SOCIAL AND PUBLIC ART RESOURCE CENTER: https://sparcinla.org/
SPARC’s mission is to produce, preserve, and promote activist and socially relevant artwork; to devise and innovate excellent art pieces through participatory processes; and ultimately, to foster artistic collaborations that empower communities who face marginalization or discrimination.
LOS ANGELES PRINTMAKING SOCIETY: https://laprintmakingsociety.org/
Founded in 1963, the Los Angeles Printmaking Society (LAPS) is a national artist-run membership organization devoted to the encouragement of printmaking and the general advancement of printmaking in public awareness and education.
ARTIST PROOF STUDIO: https://artistproofstudio.co.za
Artist Proof Studio (APS) is an innovative and engaged community printmaking center of excellence. APS was established in 1991 by Kim Berman and Nhlanhla Xaba as a printmaking center that embodied the spirit of a democratic South Africa. It emerged as a response to the need for unity and inclusivity, using printmaking as a powerful medium for expression and social change
January 25 – March 31, 2025
OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, January 25, 5pm – 8pm
EVENTS
Artist Talk:
February 22nd, 1pm – 4pm
Printmaking Workshop:
March 8th, 12pm – 3pm
GALLERY HOURS
Tuesday – Friday 11pm – 5pm
Saturday – Monday closed
PLAN YOUR VISITS
Durón Gallery at SPARC
685 Venice Boulevard, Venice, California
90291, United States
This exhibition is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.