Screen printing originated in China during the Song dynasty (960-1279) as a means of transferring designs onto fabric. This technology diffused into neighboring Asian countries, such as Japan, where it further developed. In time, screen printing techniques spread far and wide on the cross-cultural currents that connected East Asia to Europe and beyond, though the Western world did not widely adopt screen printing until the 20th century.

To make a screen print, ink is forced through a mesh screen and onto a surface. Certain areas of the screen, which was traditionally made of silk, are made impervious to ink using a variety of methods. This creates a stencil. Ink is allowed to pass through the unblocked areas of the stencil and onto the surface, forming the printed image.

Many modern and contemporary artists have embraced the versatility of screen printing to create visually striking and technically complex images. Stenciled features exciting screen prints from the Museum’s permanent collection, including works by 20th century icons who popularized this art form, such as Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol, and others, such as West Virginia native Don Pendleton, who continue pushing and pulling the medium in new directions.

This exhibit is presented with support from the City of Huntington Mayor’s Council for the Arts.

This exhibit is presented with support from The Isabelle Gwynn and Robert Daine Exhibition Endowment.

This program is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.