The Fitchburg Art Museum, North Central Massachusetts’ oldest and most treasured cultural institution, will host the exhibit LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel on view through Jan. 1, 2012. The exhibition is organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum and is making its only traveling New England appearance here. LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel will examine the use of this dynamic form of visual communication, and place specific emphasis on the art of the contemporary graphic novel, which is an internationally recognized artistic and literary genre.
Niko Henrichon Untitled 2006, Illustration from The Pride of Baghdad. Norman Rockwell Museum
This special exhibition will feature over 200 original art works, including paintings, drawings, storyboards, studies, books, photographs, and a documentary film, offering insights into the lives of the artists and the nature of their work. The impact on art discourse and the surrounding public community will be deepened and heightened by the powerful literary element of the exhibition. Click here to view sample works.
Focused on subjects as diverse as the nature of relationships, the perils of war, and the meaning of life, graphic novels comprise the fastest-growing sections of many bookstores, according to the Norman Rockwell Museum. Graphic novels employ the technique of cinematographic narrative, developed by comic-book artists, telling the story through metaphors and visual images, particularly images of action.
“An increasing number of artists are choosing to express themselves through graphic novels, which have received increased recognition in the popular sector and have started to gain the interest and consideration of the art and literary establishment,” said Peter Timms, director of the Fitchburg Art Museum. “Noted periodicals including The New York Times and The New Yorker have covered the phenomenon, and graphic novels are increasingly popular in classrooms, libraries, and bookstores throughout the United States and abroad.”
Beyond the quality of the exhibit and prestige of the Norman Rockwell Museum, Timms said that the Fitchburg Art Museum is using the LitGraphic show as a springboard to launch an aggressive marketing program to promote the museum itself. “Founded in 1925, we are a world-class, family-friendly museum with a permanent collection spanning 5,000 years,” Timms said, “yet we remain very much a hidden treasure. Working closely with the City of Fitchburg, area businesses and other regional and community stakeholders, we have bold plans to engage the public in ways that are as distinctive as the museum itself. www.fitchburgartmuseum.org