New UND Art Collections exhibition on the famed French artist Honoré Daumier focuses on the freedom of the press

David L. Dodds

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

3-31-2015

Campus Unit

College of Arts & Sciences

Abstract

Free public preview set for April 23; works by former ‘Grand Forks Herald’ cartoonist, Stuart McDonald also to be featured

What: Honoré Daumier: Encore! The Quest for Freedom of Expression through Political and Social Commentary.

Who: The University of North Dakota (UND) Art Collections Gallery, in partnership with the Empire Arts Center

When: April 24-July 14. UND Art Collections Gallery hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: University of North Dakota Art Collections Gallery at the Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks, 415 DeMers Avenue.

Additional Details:

The UND Art Collections Gallery at the Empire Arts Center will hold a free public preview for its newest exhibition, Honoré Daumier: Encore! The Quest for Freedom of Expression through Political and Social Commentary, Thursday, April 23, from 4:30-7p.m., at the Empire Arts Center in downtown Grand Forks.

The exhibition’s reception will have a 19th Century French theme, with period music on the Empire Art Center stage. Free refreshments will also be served.

The theme of the show is highly relevant in light of recent attacks on free expression such as the tragic assassination of political cartoonists in Paris. The French artist Honoré Daumier (1808-1879) devoted his career to satirical art, especially political and social caricatures for Parisian publications. As an outspoken advocate for freedom of the press, he was briefly imprisoned early in his life.

In addition to original lithographs by Daumier, the exhibition includes satirical illustrations by some of his predecessors and contemporaries. It also features more recent satirical images that continue the quest for freedom of expression, including art by Grand Forks native, UND alumnus and former Grand Forks Herald Sunday edition cartoonist Stuart McDonald as well as a cartoon by Stéphane Charbonnier, who was killed in the recent Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris.

The design of the exhibition follows the format of a newspaper, with works by Daumier located in sections A through D, ranging from headline features to arts and leisure to the sports page. This exhibition is an interdisciplinary collaborative project curated by professors from the UND Departments of Languages, Music, and Art & Design. They include Sarah Mosher, Gary Towne, Nathan Rees, and Arthur Jones.

This exhibition is the second in a Daumier trilogy that will conclude in a third show next year.

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