Artwork copyright Al Ring. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Al Ring. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Al Ring. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Sticks and Stones, 1986

Al Ring
(American, born 1934)

Location: Green River College, Auburn

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Sticks and Stones is a monotype print by artist Al Ring. His abstract imagery explores how movement and line quality can communicate emotion. He states, "We find ourselves floundering in a nuclear world while the cries for change go unheeded. While our age has its tragic side, it also has its joyous side, one of hope and regeneration. It is this side of life that I try to address in my work."

Monotypes are unique prints made by painting with inks directly onto the printing plate. Only one print can be made from the plate. The image is transferred onto paper using a printing press. Ring often runs his images through the press multiple times to build up richness of color. He also paints directly onto the paper with acrylic paints.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Green River Community College.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Rhode Island-based artist Al Ring creates paintings and monoprints. He taught painting and drawing at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California from 1974 to 1976. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1967. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Stanford University in 1969. He has received grants from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and the Ford Foundation.