Iowa Artisans Gallery presents intaglio and collograph prints by well known Iowa artist Charles Barth, March 4 – April 17, 2005. The ongoing theme of Barth’s work is the dichotomy between Mexico’s past and present. Barth is inspired by images relating to luche libre, wrestling stars admired by children and adults alike, as well as bodybuilding and tattoos. After conducting a four week printmaking workshop in Oaxaca in 1996, Barth and his wife purchased a home and continue to spend a great deal of time there, especially during the summer months.

Barth uses the aquatint intaglio process, creating three separate plates with yellow, red and blue inks. The overlaid printing of these plates creates a multitude of intermediate, glowing colors.

An ardent collector of traditional crafts and cultures, Barth is equally interested in contemporary popular culture and kitsch. Many of his works refer to the Day of the Dead festivities which take place on November 2. He is also inspired by the wrestling stars of “Luche Libre,” figures admired by Mexican children and adults alike. Their costumes, masks and color and ring action present a “get-a-way” to another, less frustrating world. Barth also says that superheroes are popular in Mexico today and “bodybuilders represent superheroes in ‘live’ form.” With its roots in Pre-Columbian times, tattooing is still a popular way of expressing national pride, cult identity and individual expression. All of these interests combine together in imagery that his complex and lively.

A resident of Cedar Rapids, Barth has participated in more than 575 exhibits since 1966 and is represented in numerous private, corporate, museum and university collections. He is a retired professor of art at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA.

 

 

Mujeres de Mexico
(click image for a larger version)