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Michael Shortell on Paper New England
In the nearly forty years that I have been an active art
collector, I have purchased literally thousands of art
works. My collections range from nineteenth century
photographs to worldwide prints from all periods to
twentieth century and contemporary art work. I own a
broad range of ceramics, folk art, sculpture and
decorative art but by far the bulk of my collection is
art works on paper.
I have always found works of art on paper to be the
most tactile and most engaging to the senses, perhaps
because paper is so inherently fragile. I love the
thought that these pieces while enduring are essentially
ephemeral. I once asked an artist whose work I collect,
what he did with his drawings and proofs after he was
finished with the artwork they supported. He blithely
responded that he simply tossed them out. Appalled, I
immediately started gathering and ordering the work.
I founded Paper New England with the idea of passing
on the appreciation that I have developed over the
decades for what many see as the ephemeral in art, to
dismiss the notion that works of art on paper are the
poor cousin to paintings on canvas or sculpture.
In the 1980's I owned a contemporary art gallery in
Hartford, Connecticut, the M. S. gallery, and showed a
broad range of primarily emerging Connecticut based
artists. Today with Paper New England, I want to broaden
our range, drawing and promoting art on or of paper from
all corners of New England.
It is our mission to provide the collector, the
educator, and the general public opportunities in as
many venues as possible to view, examine and study works
of art on paper. In time, we will complement our
rotating exhibitions with a permanent collection that
will be available to further educate and enlighten
collectors and novices alike.
Paper New England will continue to support emerging
New England artists as well as established and
underappreciated artists with the idea of providing a
balanced view of the broadest range of art work produced
on paper in New England. I welcome you to join us!
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