Printmaker Jacques Bidon Featured in Cross Town Exhibitions - Inside Art with Michael Rose
Michael Rose, Art Columnist
Printmaker Jacques Bidon Featured in Cross Town Exhibitions - Inside Art with Michael Rose
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Over his career, Bidon has become a valued fixture in the local art scene, and is known as a printmaking expert. Born in Haiti, Bidon is the child of a print shop owner and his early years were spent exploring the world of letterpresses. Reflecting on this early learning process, Bidon says, “When I found out what I could do with type and typography and images and how to layer colors so they could look like multiple colors, I was hooked.” He went on to spend over three decades working as a commercial printer and today melds his extensive knowledge of craft with his unique artistic eye to create work of his own. In Providence, he has been active in the AS220 Print Shop and is also affiliated with the design studio Counterform.
When asked what he enjoys most about Rhode Island’s art community, Bidon says, “It's really as simple as the word itself: Community, building community through the arts.”
On view through January 18, 2022, in the Main Gallery at City Hall in Providence, a selection of Bidon’s prints can be found in the exhibition The George Stinney Project. Shown alongside work by Baub Bidon and Marco A. McWilliams, Bidon’s printmaking is part of a project that explores the 13th Amendment. Typical of Bidon’s work, the pieces on view at City Hall incorporate image and text to create artworks that speak to their viewers.
Bidon’s contributions to The George Stinney Project are full of thoughtful references that cut to the core of his purposes. Quotations from the likes of James Baldwin are fused with images through both letterpress and offset lithography processes. The results are elegant and defy categorization as either straightforward artwork or political poster. They also share important content within a community space.
Across town at Providence College Galleries, Bidon is a central figure in the exhibition Providence Prints!, which is on view through March 3, 2023. The show is a celebration of printmaking, and Bidon’s collection is centrally exhibited alongside peers in the industry. At a recent opening for the show, numerous colleagues praised Bidon’s influence in their remarks, describing him as a teacher, mentor, and friend. His influence on the whole group was evident.
Speaking of Bidon, PC Galleries’ Director and Chief Curator Jamilee Lacy says, “It seems like all Providence artists who print have a story about Jacques’ generosity and impact on their creative practice. Indeed, we realized that every single artist and collective in our Providence Prints! show had learned from and/or collaborated with Jacques at one point. So, we decided to feature him prominently, and even blew up one of his artworks to create our title wall.”
Where Bidon’s works at City Hall are tightly choreographed, his contributions to Providence Prints! show off a wider range of techniques. One image in this grouping is printed on a mirrored surface and asks viewers a direct question which reads, “What do you see?”. In this piece the directness of Bidon’s artform is apparent. Letterpress as a medium is both powerful and fragile. Through his expertise and artistry Bidon is keeping this craft alive while commenting on important subjects.
Bidon is one of the state’s most influential printmakers. In shows at City Hall and PC Galleries, viewers have a chance to explore what makes this talented artist such a remarkable creative and to see the indelible mark he has made on the community.
Details on visiting Providence City Hall’s Main Gallery can be found at www.artculturetourism.com, and information on visiting PC Galleries can be found at pcgalleries.providence.edu.
Learn more about Jacques Bidon at www.jacquesoffset.com and follow his ongoing projects on Instagram @jacquesoffset.