Spring 1987: Mary Frank: Persephone Studies, an exhibition of drawings, monotypes and sculpture by the contemporary American artist, will open at The Brooklyn Museum on March 19. The 58 works illustrate how the artist transforms and reinterprets the figure which represents the goddess Persephone through changes in scale, medium and color. The show will be on view in the Museum’s Prints and Drawings Galleries, located on the second floor, through June 7, 1987.
Mary Frank has recently become known for her works on paper, both drawings and monotypes, which often, as in the case of the Persephone studies, are related to the artist’s sculpture.
According to legend, Persephone was captured by Hades, who brings her to live with him in the Underworld. She is only allowed to return to earth in the spring to visit her mother, Demeter. Frank’s large clay sculpture depicts a recumbent female figure with arms outstretched and one knee raised and is made from large sheets of clay that have been incised, bent and folded to give the surface a fragmented appearance.
The exhibition was organized by Linda Konheim Kramer, Curator of Prints and Drawings at The Brooklyn Museum. It is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue containing an essay and biographical information on the artist.
Brooklyn Museum Archives. Records of the Department of Public Information. Press releases, 1971 - 1988. 1987, 016.
