Parasol Press: Breaking New Ground is the first exhibition to survey Parasol Press’s remarkable publications from 1970–2014, showcasing radical innovations that pushed the boundaries of printmaking and secured Parasol’s place as one of the most important print publishers of the twentieth century. Founded by Robert Feldman (PA 1954) in 1970, the publisher came to prominence for introducing a generation of Minimalist and Conceptual artists to printmaking, including Mel Bochner, Sol LeWitt, Robert Mangold, Brice Marden, Agnes Martin, Edda Renouf, Dorothea Rockburne, and Robert Ryman. Parasol’s published editions were among the decade’s most ambitious prints, demonstrating the complex and varied ways artists explored the materiality of printed surfaces while challenging the medium’s limits. Over time, the publisher expanded its roster to encompass a diverse range of artists, including Photorealists, Neo-Expressionists, and even a group of award-winning mathematicians and scientists. Collaborating with print workshops such as Crown Point Press and Edition Domberger, Parasol Press took risks on technically daring feats, including Chuck Close’s creation of the largest mezzotint ever produced, Richard Estes’s intricate Photorealist screenprints consisting of hundreds of layers of color, and a multi-artist portfolio made entirely from rubber stamps. Parasol Press: Breaking New Ground reveals how the publisher helped forge transformative connections between dozens of artists and printers, highlighting the significance of risk-taking, collaboration, and experimentation in pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Generous support for this exhibition has been provided by the Sidney R. Knafel Fund and the Stone Family, in honor of Allan Stone (PA ’50, P ’87).
