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Stephen Holland Hockey Lithographs / |
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Near the entrances to the gallery and library sits the Stephen Holland exhibit. Immediately recognizable is the large oil on canvas, presented as a diptych. Presented in two parts of equal size, this method of presentation was traditionally created to use as small portable altars. This original work of art depicts the exact moment than Wayne Gretzky's career topped Gordie Howe's lifetime scoring mark. One might notice that the puck does not appear in the painting. This is because not even slow motion cameras could record its entry into the goal. Here we see just one of the reasons hockey lovers call Gretzky "The Great One."
Located on the right wall is Holland's exemplary collection of woodblock prints. Woodblock printing is one of the earliest printmaking methods. It is a process that requires the artist to cut pieces of wood away from the surface. This process of cutting away leaves an image or upraised design in "relief." The raised surface is inked and pressed onto the paper. When the ink transfers, it leaves an impression that is a mirrored image of the design. In the slideshow (linked below), look at the way Holland uses the precision of the "cutting away" to express emotion in these prints.
Entering the gallery on the left wall, there are a series of lithographs that represent his work as the "Official Artist" of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. Lithography is a printing process in which a design is sketched with an oily crayon on a porous stone surface. The idea behind the technique is that water and oil don't mix. When the stone surface is dampened and inked, the lithograph is run through the press. The ink sticks to the crayon and is then printed onto paper.
Holland's career is marked with hundreds of sport painting commissions as well as his numerous endeavors with lithographs, serigraphs and woodblock prints. He is best known for his portrait of Mohammed Ali, which was commissioned for the Silver Anniversary of the Victor Awards. Holland serves as the "Official Artist" of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. More on Holland.
View a Flash slideshow of the Holland's exhibit.
Other Featured Exhibits:
- The Road to the Beijing Olympiad 2008 Through Art
- Wyland — Faster, Higher, Stronger
- Cristóbal Gabarrón — 100 Years of The Modern Olympics
- Charles Billich — Bing Mah Yongs
- Bruce Larsen — Found Object Sculptures
- Jim Ridlon — NFL Assemblages
- Stephen Holland — Hockey Series & Woodblock prints
