Curator, James Bacchi invites you to the opening of The Protagonists, a Solo Exhibition of New Works by Master Printmaker Eric Rewitzer, opening February 15, 2025, at JAMES BACCHI CONTEMPORARY @ The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five, Palm Springs, CA.   

“THE PROTAGONISTS promise a blockbuster sequel to Rewitzer’s last SOLD-OUT  show, MCM MONSTERS”, says Bacchi.  “These new original works, incorporating collage and printmaking and limited-edition prints, are electrifying!  Rewitzer and his band of  Colossuses will show up and show out on the streets of Palm Springs and San Francisco leaving their indelible marks.”

In response to Eric Rewitzer’s last SOLD-OUT Solo Exhibition, MCM MONSTERS, at JAMES BACCHI CONTEMPORARY, Art Critic Michael Davis wrote – “The genesis of “MCM MONSTERS” lies in Rewitzer’s exploration of the carved line. Experimenting with relief printing, he found that his subject matter naturally gravitated towards the fantastical creatures of his youth. From towering behemoths to mysterious beasts, his prints bring these iconic figures to life, with a nod to the cinematic mastery of artists like Frank Miller. What sets his work apart is the incorporation of color, achieved through the intricate layering of cut paper on inked plates, resulting in one-of-a-kind compositions that blur the line between printmaking and mixed media. For James Bacchi, whose visionary curation has been instrumental in shaping the Palm Springs art scene, “MCM MONSTERS” represents another milestone in his mission to elevate contemporary art discourse.”

Eric Rewitzer, The Critic, 42”x32”, original collage and linocut on BFK Rives paper

Fast forward to THE PROTAGONISTS. In all its Modernist glory and details, Rewitzer’s The Critic imaginatively unearths the unsettling controversy of  the placement of The Forever Marilyn statue in Palm Spring. The Forever Marilyn Statue, a 26-foot commemoration of Monroe’s famous skirt scene from 1955’s “The Seven Year Itch,” has drawn the ire of locals and visiting critics alike since it returned to Palm Springs in 2021. It currently stands on the edge of Downtown Park, with Monroe’s sculpted back facing the Palm Springs Art Museum.  The statue will be resettled in a location to be determined in the Downtown Park. The statue will not be moving far: the park spans only 1.5 acres, and the statue will be placed within its boundaries. Acclaimed Palm Springs Designer Trina Turk spearheaded a campaign initiating Marilyn’s move.  Ironically, one of Turk’s designs is sported by Rewitzer’s wife, artist Annie Galvin, who can be seen posing under the Marilyn’s skirt in The Critic.

Artist Eric Rewitzer unveiling Palmzilla Returns, 42”x31”, original collage and linocut on BFK Rives paper

Eric Rewitzer is exclusively represented in Palm Springs at JAMES BACCHI CONTEMPORARY.  His works have been exhibited in the U.S. and Paris, and collected worldwide. The Artist and his work have been featured by Palm Springs Life Magazine, Palm Springs Tribune, Los Angeles Times Magazine and NBC Palm Springs. An in depth feature on Rewitzer will appear in the April issue of the CALIFORNIA PRINTMAKING JOURNAL.  Eric Rewitzer was recently inducted into  the California Society of Printmakers.

THE PROTAGONISTS opens at JAMES BACCHI CONTEMPORARY @ The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five, Palm Springs on Saturday, February 15, 2025.  Join us for a Reception, and meet the Artist from 4-6pm.

The exhibition runs through April 15, 2025.  Gallery Hours:  Thursday – Monday, 11-5. For further information:  415-652-2915