Forman Collection To Open

At Albright-Knox Art Gallery

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Winston Roeth, “Star Figure on Blue coated paper,” 1988, tempera on customized resurfaced paper, collection of Albright-Knox Art Gallery, gift of Natalie and Irving Forman.

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FOR 8/8 FORMAN COLLECTION OPENS AUG 15 AT ALBRIGHT-KNOX ART GALLERY W/1CUT

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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Over the past few years the nationally regarded private collection of abstract art, including paintings, sculpture and works on paper, owned by Natalie and Irving Forman of Santa Fe, N.M., has been gifted to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. In 2005 the gallery exhibited many of the paintings and sculptures.

An exhibition on view August 15–October 19 will present an intimate look at more than 130 works on paper by 40 artists in the collection, including Stuart Arends, John Beech, Erika Blumenfeld, Rudolf de Crignis, Marcia Hafif, Winston Roeth and Mark di Suvero.

The opening program, “Words on Paper: Readings by Artists from the Forman Collection” with introduction by Susana Tejada, head of Research Resources, will begin at 6:30 pm. A selection of letters from the Formans’ personal archive will be read, revealing the couple’s acute sense for acquiring the art of their time, as well as the close relationships they have built over the years with many of the artists represented in their collection.

With more than 150 paintings and sculptures and more than 150 works on paper, the Forman gift to the Albright-Knox is the single largest gift to be donated at one time in the museum’s history. “This collection is especially remarkable because of its relevance and significance to our renowned collection of abstract art,” said director Louis Grachos. “We are honored and grateful that the Formans have been so extraordinarily generous to the gallery and the community.”

Natalie Forman explains that while their collective “sensibilities are very much tuned into the idea of area and space,” her own attraction to abstraction lies in the “moment where [one can] enter into [an artwork] and have a dialogue with it, without being told a story.”

Many of the works in this exhibition have graced the walls of the Forman’s New Mexico home. The works evoke pause and reflection in the viewer, for they have delicate subtleties best appreciated after extended and repeated observation.

A full-color hardbound catalog, Works on Paper: The Natalie and Irving Forman Collection, accompanies the exhibition.

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is at 1285 Elmwood Avenue. For additional information, www.albrightknox.org or 716-882-8700.