New art added to UWP's collection
PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is expanding its collection of art with the installation of two new pieces. A lithograph of the "Wrapped Snoopy House" and the granite sculpture, "Espiritu de las Mesas," translated "Spirit of the Mesas," by Jesus Moroles, were donated by art collector and gallery owner, Dr. Chris Graf.
"I've collected art for awhile and I want to share it. Platteville is important to me. It gave me my start in medicine and it's where I grew up," said Graf.
The signed and numbered, hand-collaged lithographs were offered to celebrate a 25 year friendship between Christo and Charles Schultz. The actual "Wrapped Snoopy House" is on permanent display at the Charles M. Schultz museum in Santa Rosa, Calif. Snoopy's house is wrapped in tarpaulin, polyethylene and ropes. After seeing Christo and Jeanne-Claude's "Running Fence," Schultz made their work the subject of his Nov. 20, 1978, Peanuts comic strip. In October 2003, Christo and Jeanne-Claude unveiled the "Wrapped Snoopy House," a 3-D version of the last panel of the comic strip.
Moroles' "Espiritu de las Mesas" measures nearly seven feet high. Moroles' art has been part of over 200 group exhibitions and 130 individual exhibitions throughout the country including New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago. He is the winner of the 1982 Awards in the Visual Arts Fellowship and a self established master sculptor. His work has been featured in many publications including ARTNEWS, Art, Artweek, Newsweek and The New York Times.
Graf was enrolled in the pre-med program at UWP for two years. In 1949, he went on to UW-Madison to finish his schooling. Graf became a doctor and was involved in medicine for 56 years. He has been supporting UWP with art donations since 1981. His interest in art was sparked during his two years of service in the army in Europe. He and his wife visited every major museum. "The art reflects the culture. It's exciting to pursue art," stated Graf.
"Dr. Graf is a great collector of art and a believer in the value of art. To see and enjoy the works he has donated is a benefit to all of us," commented John Hassig, director of performing and visual arts.
Anyone wanting more information about the art donations may contact Dennis Cooley at (608) 342-1309 or cooleyde@uwplatt.edu
Contact: Dennis Cooley, executive director, UW-Platteville Foundation, (608) 342-1309, cooleyde@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194,kurdik@uwplatt.edu
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