Steve Mumford
Drawings from America's Front Lines
September 19 - October 31, 2020
Postmasters presents a wide selection of drawings by Steve Mumford depicting the Covid-19 crisis in
NYC, the Black Lives Matter protests in NYC and Portland, Oregon, and campaign rallies for Donald
Trump in Portland, Maine and Fredricksburg, Virginia in 2016.
For many years Mumford has been drawing current events on the ground, working from life, like the
'special artists' of the American Civil War, before cameras were fast enough to permit photojournalism.
The drawings are often followed by paintings in the studio based on his observations. His work from the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as from US military hospitals, Guantanamo, the BP oil spill in
Louisiana and more have been published in Harper's Magazine.
The similarities with photojournalism end quickly: a drawing takes time to make, and events change
quickly. Thus, the artist must adapt the story he's telling in real time. Mumford often adds snippets of
ambient conversation to the drawing as he works. Sometimes the initial crude and fast drawing is enough,
or there's time to add ink on the spot; other drawings the artist works up with ink and then watercolor
using his own photos taken with his iPhone while drawing to try to convey more fully the effect of the
moment.
This is Mumford's 7th show with Postmasters Gallery.
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Steve Mumford installation view |
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Steve Mumford installation view |
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Steve Mumford installation view |
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Steve Mumford installation view |
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Steve Mumford installation view |
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Steve Mumford Attacking the Federal Courthouse, Portland, OR, Jul. 25, 2020 2020 pencil, ink, and watercolor on paper 11 x 15.5 inches |
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Steve Mumford Waiting for Doors to Open, Trump Rally, 11 a.m. Fredericksburg, VA, Aug. 20, 2016 2016 ink and watercolor on paper 13 x 10 inches |
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Steve Mumford Trump Rally Convention Center (the shirt off my back), Fredericksburg, VA, Aug. 20, 2016 2016 ink and watercolor on paper 13 x 20 inches |
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Steve Mumford Speakers Outside Justice Center II, Portland, OR, Jul. 31, 2020 2020 pencil on paper 11 x 15.5 inches |
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Steve Mumford Chris 'Fade 2 Blade' Giving Haircuts II, Grand Street, New York City, Apr. 28, 2020 2020 ink and watercolor on paper 15.5 x 11 inches |
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Steve Mumford Burning Flags Outside the Federal Courthouse, Portland, OR, Aug. 1, 2020 2020 pencil, ink, and watercolor on paper 11 x 15.5 inches |
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Steve Mumford Portland Cops and Federal Police Line up Against Protestors, Portland, OR, Jul. 30, 2020 2020 pencil on paper 11 x 15.5 inches |
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Steve Mumford Anarchists Campsite, Lownsdale Square, Portland, OR, Jul. 25, 2020 2020 pencil, ink, and watercolor on paper 11 x 31 inches |