Artist Statement

As a printmaker, I’m drawn to paper and water-based inks, rather than to paints and brushes on canvas. My work is an engagement with my materials and ideas of order. When confronted with a blank page, I respond in one of two ways: either I develop a pattern of abstract geometry, or I develop a grammar of expressionist gestures. Through these two approaches, I explore the creative possibilities of geometry and expressionist gesture in a tension between opposites: painterly against geometric, monochrome against color, spontaneous against planned.

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Artist Biography

Bill Brookover is a printmaker and photographer whose work is based in his training in design and architecture. Born in West Texas, he studied art and architecture at Rice University, historic preservation at Columbia University, and printmaking at Fleisher Art Memorial. His prints explore design, color, texture, and geometric structure.

Brookover is a teaching artist at Fleisher Art Memorial, a community art center in South Philadelphia, where he has taught printmaking since 2010. In 2014 he began leading tours of Hidden Print Collections for Fleisher printmaking students. He volunteers at the Print & Picture Collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia building a digital catalog of the Fine Art Print collection. In 2014 he served as Independent Curator for Eugene Feldman Offset Lithographs, Print & Picture Hallway Gallery, at the Parkway Central Library. He is a member of Second State Press Mt Airy Art Garage, and The Print Center in Philadelphia.

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Education

2003 – present
Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
Printmaking

1978
Columbia University, New York, NY
Master of Science, Historic Preservation

1973
Rice University, Houston, TX
Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Arts, Architecture, Fine Arts

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Professional Experience

2014
Independent Curator Eugene Feldman Offset Lithographs, Print & Picture Hallway Gallery, Parkway Central Library, Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

2010 – present
Printmaking Instructor, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

1980 – 2011
Historical Architect, National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA

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Other

2014
Second State Press Portfolio Exchange, Philadelphia, PA

Book Paper Scissors, Philadelphia Center for the Book, Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Philadelphia, PA

Nice Things Handmade Craft Bazaar at The Philadelphia School, Philadelphia, PA

Dear Fleisher, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2013
Second State Press Portfolio Exchange, Philadelphia, PA

Book Paper Scissors, Philadelphia Center for the Book, Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Philadelphia, PA

Art for the Cash Poor, InLiquid, Philadelphia, PA

Exhibitions

2014
Third Biennial Winter Invitational: Snowflake Salon @HBHQ, 1241 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia, PA

Creative Tension, Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ
Juror: Maiza Hixson

Quarter Sheet: Almost Legal, The Sanford Gallery @ Zeamays Printmaking, Florence, MA

Celebration of Athenaeum’s 200th Anniversary, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Jurors: Sandra Tatman, John Blatteau & William Valerio

Philadanco Benefit, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
Jurors: Cecelia Fitzgibbon, Lisa Hanover, & Nelson Shanks
Award: Honorable Mention

Star Wheel Printers Making Our Mark: Philadelphia Printmakers, The Avenue Gallery, 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA

1st Annual Juried Print Exhibition, Artworks Trenton, Trenton, NJ
Juror: Phyllis E. Wright

2013
PaperWork, Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Trenton, NJ
Jurors: Gabriel Romeu & Elise Mannella

Under Pressure, West Windsor Arts Center, Princeton Junction, NJ
Juror: Eileen Foti

3rd National Monotype and Monoprint Exhibition, Monotype Guild of New England, Wenham, MA
Juror: Mark Pascale
Award: Honorable Mention

RITUAL: Single Sheet Book Show, 110 Church Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

The Members Show: Second State Press, InLiquid, Philadelphia Photo Arts Center, The Crane Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA

2012
Second Biennial Invitational: Snowflake Salon, The Bridge Club, Philadelphia, PA

Heart Print – Celebrating the Artists of the Fleisher Print Love-in, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

Works on Paper, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
Jurors: Joseph Sweeney & Ron Wyffels

2011
Stimuli – Stimulus, 110 Church Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Leo Robinson

18 Fabulous Fleisher Printmakers, Nice Things Handmade, Philadelphia, PA
Curator: Christine Blair