A Printer’s Proof: The Fred Genis Collection
Grafton Regional Art Gallery, NSW
During his forty-year career, master lithographer Fred Genis worked in the United States, Europe, and Australia, collaborating with leading artists from around the world. His working life spanned monumental eras in the 20th Century art including the American Abstract Expressionist movement of 1960s and 70s New York where he worked with artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Willem De Kooning, Sam Francis, John Cage, and James Rosenquist. After moving to Australia in 1979, Genis set up workshops in Sydney and the Northern Rivers, working as a printer, publisher, and teacher for three decades until his retirement in 2007. During this time, Genis worked with generations of Australian artists including John Olsen, Lloyd Rees, Tim Storrier, Judy Watson, Guan Wei, Brett Whiteley and many more. A Printer’s Proof celebrates the art of lithography, the special bond formed between artist and printer, and the remarkable life and legacy of Fred Genis.
Curated by Pedram Khosronejad, Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia
Sharon Muir at the opening night of “A Printers Proof: The Fred Genis Collection -May 2024
Fred working in his Byron Bay Studio 2003
Fred inspecting a print
Fred operating the press
Series of six “Seed Form” Lithographs created in collaboration with Fred Genis in 2003
The final step in the process of printmaking is to use the master printmaker’s chop to emboss each print, clearly indicating the authenticity of the edition. Fred's chop was of a chicken, and he referred to it as the ‘chook chop’ in honour of his wife Rina, who he affectionately called his beloved chicken or “kip” in Dutch.