Studio Visit with Printmaker Andrew Raftery - Inside Art with Michael Rose

Studio Visit with Printmaker Andrew Raftery - Inside Art with Michael Rose

 

RISD Professor Andrew Raftery is one of the printmaking community’s most respected practitioners. An artist who is dedicated both to craft and to a deep study of the history of his medium, he makes intricately designed and carefully thought out artworks. Many of these are conceived of and created in his studio in the heart of College Hill in Providence.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

 

Raised in Maryland, Raftery attended Boston University for his undergraduate degree before matriculating to Yale, where he earned an MFA. He came to Rhode Island in 1991 to take a position at RISD and has been making art and teaching art in the state ever since. Raftery also has long-standing family connections here. Speaking of how it feels to live and work in Rhode Island, he says, “My grandparents came here from Ireland at the start of the 20th century and my father was born in Olneyville in 1917. It is very grounding to be in a place they knew a century ago. I grew up in Maryland but have lived here since 1991. It is where I belong. When my images set in Rhode Island and Providence go out into the wider world, I think people recognize a distinctive place and find that compelling.”

 

 

In Raftery’s studio, which formerly belonged to the noted watercolorist David Aldrich, he is working on several projects at once, including a series of sensitive and beautiful drawings capturing Blackstone Boulevard that underpin his familial history. Once a streetcar path, the Boulevard was the route Raftery’s grandfather drove as a streetcar operator.

 

Primarily a printmaker, Raftery has brought his keen eye for detail to traditional printmaking as well as other print media like transferware and wallpaper. A well-informed knowledge of the history of printmaking is a cornerstone of his practice. As one example, he is currently collaborating with the National Archives on a research project related to the famed William Stone engraving of The Declaration of Independence, created in 1823.

 

 

Another ongoing series is a stunning collection of watercolors that capture his interest in wallpaper and wallpapered interiors for his forthcoming show History Homework: An Essay in Pictures slated to take place at Ryan Lee Gallery in New York from October 18 - November 25, 2023.

 

Asked about the similarities or differences between printmaking and watercolor, Raftery says, “Printmaking often uses layers of ink to build up an image. In watercolor, I start with a light tonal ink drawing and build up layers of transparent washes to make a full-color picture. For instance, green is often achieved by layering Indian yellow over Prussian blue. Most importantly, printmaking teaches me patience - an image takes many states before it is complete.”

 

 

Raftery will also be one of the prominent artists whose work is featured in A Legacy of Collecting, an upcoming exhibition of works from the holdings of notable collector Dr. Joseph Chazan that will also act as a fundraiser for The Steel Yard. Speaking about his relationship with Chazan, Raftery says, “I first became aware of Dr. Chazan as a collector when the RISD Museum showed some of his gifts in Chazan's Choice in 2005. Each object was clearly selected by someone with a personal vision of art and a deep love of craft in all media and genres. We eventually met and he took an interest in me as well as my work. We often talk about life, issues big and small and he has shared his wisdom many times. I also appreciate how he shares his collection, not just with museums, but over the years with his patients, and now, with this exhibition, other collectors have the opportunity to live with these works and help that amazing place, The Steel Yard.”

 

Raftery is a truly gifted artist and academic. His artworks across disciplines reward close viewing and careful reading. The more one looks at one of Raftery’s prints, drawings, or paintings, the more details one can find. Asked what he hopes audiences experience when interacting with his artworks, Raftery states, “I like to think my art is accessible to a broad range of viewers. Some people will clue into all the art historical sources, but that is not required to enjoy the work. I want viewers to get absorbed in the story, the setting, the details, and forget about me as the narrator.”

 

 

A Legacy of Collecting, featuring several examples of Raftery’s work, will open at The Steel Yard at 27 Sims Avenue on June 15 from 6-8 pm. The show will also be featured on Gallery Night Providence. Additional viewing hours are available on select dates from June 8 - July 8, and the exhibition can be seen by appointment with [email protected].

 

For more information about Andrew Raftery, visit ryanleegallery.com/artists/andrew-raftery/