Lori Bookstein Fine Art is pleased to announce an exhibition of collages by Henry Rothman [1910-1990]. This is the second solo show of Rothman’s work at Lori Bookstein Fine Art.

Beginning as a photographer in the early forties, Rothman found himself naturally drawn to the decay of urban life in New York. The photographs from this time are marked by abandoned buildings, torn advertisements and old shop signs in various states of disrepair. However, by the late fifties, Rothman had found a natural transition from photography to collage − although the artist had abandoned his camera, he maintained his interest in the marled surfaces and eroding façades he once photographed. Often using the scraps of paper and the pieces of the old advertisements he previously photographed, Rothman appropriated the detritus of popular culture to create abstract collages.

A majority of Rothman’s collages are marked by text and printed word. While some words are certainly legible − “Dei” in Untitled (Dei), for instance, is perhaps not a mistaken allusion to God − most often his use of type was formal rather than referential. Indeed, the pattern of the words across the page and shapes of the individual letters seems to be the artist’s principal concern. In Untitled (N), for example, the use of what appears to be the letter “N” seems to serve as an architectural anchor in the composition rather than signifier. Other places too, in Untitled (123), the bellowing curves and harsh angles of individual letters only heightens the disjointed rhythm of the collage.

Henry Rothman studied Journalism at New York University and art at the Art School of Vienna. He founded the 28th Street Artists in 1947, whose members included Louise Nevelson, Jacques Lipchitz, Weegee and others. His work is in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, National Gallery of Canada, Arkansas Arts Center, Provincetown Art Association and Museum as well as the International Museum of Collage, Assemblage and Construction..

Henry Rothman: Collages will be on view from September 6, 2012 through October 6, 2012. An opening reception will be held on Friday, September 7th from 6-8 pm. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. For additional information and/or visual materials, please contact the gallery at (212) 750-0949 or at [email protected]