Lamont Art Gallery presents "Into the Wood: Antonio Frasconi's Art for Children"

Illustration from CRICKETS AND FROGS © 1972 by Antonio Frasconi

Exeter, NH—Phillips Exeter Academy's Lamont Art Gallery presents "Into the Wood: Antonio Frasconi's Art for Children" from Wednesday, January 11 – Wednesday, February 22, 2012. The Lamont Gallery is located in the lower level of the Frederick R. Mayer Art Center on Tan Lane. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, was organized by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Best-known for his intricate woodcuts and powerful social commentary, Frasconi is an illustrator and children's book author also widely known for his book See and Say: A Picture Book in Four Languages (1955). This groundbreaking read was about learning to speak four different languages and about experiencing words as a vast and complex world. Frasconi also created a beautiful series of children's books inspired by the birth of his sons.

Illustration © 1950 by Antonio Frasconi

The exhibition will include original works from Frasconi's picture books, woodblocks, as well as books published in such small editions that are rarely available to the general public.

Frasconi was born in 1919. He grew up in Uruguay to Italian parents, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1945 to study at The Art Students League# of New York. Within 10 years, Frasconi established himself as one of the foremost graphic artists of his generation. By 1954, he had published his first book, Twelve Fables of Aesop. Frasconi later began freelancing for Fortune magazine, traveling around the U.S. crafting his impressions of the coal and copper mines in Pennsylvania and Montana, and the wineries of California.  

Illustration © 1965 by Antonio Frasconi

As an artist, Frasconi is particularly noted for his exceptional woodcuts, [which] "pair a poetic sympathy for the human spirit with bold social commentary." #Davidson Galleries, Woodcuts & Posters – April 2009 Exhibition. His works are found in The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY.

Gallery Manager Sara Zela says: "The Lamont Gallery is excited to begin 2012 by hosting this exhibition organized by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Frasconi's woodcuts blocks are carefully crafted, extraordinary and captivating. Our students and visitors will be able to have an up close and personal view of Frasconi's stone cast woodblocks, rare-edition prints and several collage pieces. This rich and vibrant exhibition brings enjoyment for an audience of all ages—a sure one not to miss!"

Gallery hours during the school year are: Monday 1-5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sundays and school holidays. For more information, contact the Lamont Gallery at 603-777-3461. For directions to Phillips Exeter Academy, call 603-777-4330. A complete list of upcoming events is available on the Phillips Exeter Academy public events line at 603-777-4309; or visit the Academy's community calendar or website.