This exhibition will feature graphic works on paper from across the artist’s career and will include original collages, unique lithographs and limited edition silkscreen prints.

Gallery director Richard McTague: “During his lifetime Paolozzi played a vital role in shaping art and popular culture as we know it, and his influence can still be felt today. We are honoured to bring this special collection to Yorkshire.”

The Independent Group & the Birth of Pop Art
Paolozzi was a founder member of the Independent Group; the collective of painters, sculptors, architects and writers who are considered the precursors to the Pop Art movement.

At the group’s first meeting the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1952, Paolozzi presented BUNK!; a mass of vibrant images he had collected from American magazines and re-assembled as scrapbook collages. The series featured the seminal I was a Rich Man’s Plaything; an affectionate collage Paolozzi had created in 1947 and the first recorded artwork to include the word ‘Pop’.

BUNK! was a breakthrough moment in the formation of Pop Art. The title referred to Henry Ford’s statement, reflecting Paolozzi’s belief that his work should reflect popular culture: “History is more or less bunk… We want to live in the present”

In 1972 Paolozzi collated these images to form a series of forty five silkscreen prints laid to paper in the style of the original collages. The BUNK! series is viewed as the artist’s farewell to the Pop movement and the complete set will feature in the Harrogate exhibition.

Paolozzi & Printmaking
Though the artist’s renown is often seen a result of his career as a sculptor, Paolozzi, like many of his contemporaries including Richard Hamilton, David Hockney and R.B. Kitaj, consistently viewed printmaking not just as a secondary pursuit, but rather as a vital artistic process.

“He was also a highly original printmaker whose collage-based silkscreened images are among the finest examples of Pop Art - the style he was instrumental in shaping.”

Prof. Frank Whitford

The artist was active in producing all forms of drawing, textile design, ceramics and jewellery but would return to printmaking throughout his career. The exhibition at RedHouse will feature examples dating from 1965 - 2000 and all works will be available to purchase until 4th March.
www.redhouseoriginals.com.

EDUARDO PAOLOZZI: THE WIZARD IN TOYTOWN
RedHouse Originals, 15 Cheltenham Mount, Harrogate HG1 1DW
Dates: Saturday 6th April - Saturday 4th May 2013 / Exhibition Preview: 6 - 8pm Friday 5th April
Open: Mon to Sat 10am - 5pm - Free Entry
t: +44 (0)1423 884400 e: info@redhouseoriginals.com w: www.redhouseoriginals.com