Fred Sandback started printmaking, like many other artists around 1970, with occasional works on paper. At the forefront of this process was the reproduction of a drawing: the production of a printed image. And so his first two images (each of which were screenprints in two colours from 1970 and 1971/72) were produced as the result of commissions, most likely without any particular attention being paid to the conditions of printing. As a simple way of transferring a drawing to a screen using photomechanical techniques, screen-printing was the appropriate technique here. However, for the portfolio "Eight Variations for Galerie Heiner Friedrich" (1971–73), also realised using screenprint, more extensive considerations were made. The hard, sharply demarcated lines produced by screen-printing corresponded to the lines of Sandback's sculptures from that time, which comprised tightly stretched elastic cords dyed with white or black acrylic paint. In this case, the technique was consciously selected as the ideal form of presenting the motif.
In the years from 1972 to 1975 Fred Sandback’s sculptural work changed considerably. The line, hitherto sharply drawn with steel wire and taut elastic cord, almost always surrounding an object, became softer, and the outline of the sculpture was abandoned. In addition, this new approach was primarily executed in acrylic yarn. The lines now mainly consist of various threads, which, due to slight rotation, appear voluminous but 'permeable, and frayed at the edges. A similar process also takes place in Sandback’s hand-drawn works. While earlier pieces were mainly drawn with felt-tip pen, and drawing as such had played a relatively small role for him, a comprehensive group of pencil and pastel drawings were created around this particular time. The most significant characteristic of this work: broad, “blurred” lines and warm, muted, pastel tones. Sandback’s interest in classical printmaking techniques, especially in lithography, which appeared as an opportunity to adequately translate these changes into sculpture and drawings, emerged from this development. In 1975 Fred Sandback had his first chance to work on some etching plates and four blocks of lithographic limestone under the guidance of Karl Imhof in Munich. Although the etchings were drawn onto the covered plates without preparatory sketches, the rudimentary nature of the drawings and his choice of small formats for the first four pieces shows the reserved manner in which he approached this technique steeped in tradition. The first attempts produced such enthusiasm, however, that three large-scale prints with confident and decisive central motifs were made directly after. Sandback drew on the four blocks of lithographic limestone without hesitation and with a tremendous sensitivity for this complicated technique. Lithography remained ‘his technique’, a technique that he developed and substantially expanded over time.
Lithography - the way Sandback handled it from the start - naturally raises the question of colour, a question that, in turn, became the focus of Sandback's artistic thinking. It was necessary to consider if colour that exists in relation to an object in space is also suitable for the same object represented two-dimensionally. It was further necessary to examine the meaning of the drawing, that is to say the ‘independent drawing’ detached from the preparatory sketches, and the conditions it should have. The isometric drawings were also always investigations into possible sculptures or documentation of work already realised. Then a new type of line suddenly appeared – lines without spatial skeletons, only existing within a chosen format. For these, too, there are counterparts in Sandback’s sculptural works. Increasingly, the sculptures became the motifs of the drawings, despite the motifs often not actually existing, not actually being ‘built’. As such it was clear that an object has its colour, and occasionally all its various possible colours. This fundamental decision on colour represents the framework for the freestanding lines. Moreover, there is of course a type of print that has no formal equivalent in drawing and which only has the motif in common: linocut, woodcut and reverse lithography, i.e. all forms with negative lines, are thus the basic results of their technical conditions, they are versions of the motifs that can only be realised using this particular technique.
Following the development of Fred Sandback’s prints it becomes clear how his love of printing techniques, the adventure of expanding them, the interaction with materials (as in the small-format dry-point pieces and the linocuts) necessitated his work and distinguished it. What began as a stroll developed into an adventurous journey that transformed familiar territory. The range of Fred Sandback’s prints can be considered unique within the context of American art after the Pop Art era.
Text by Fred Jahn, excerpt from: Fred Sandback. Werkverzeichnis der Druckgraphik 1970–1986, München 1987, p. 7–9
Vita
1943
Fred Sandback is born 29 August in Bronxville, New York
1962—1966
Studies of Philosophy at Yale University
1966—1969
Studies of Sculpture at Yale School of Art and Architecture
1968
First solo exhibition at Galerie Konrad Fischer, Düsseldorf, at Galerie Heiner Friedrich, Munich
1981
The Dia Art Foundation initiates the foundation of the Fred Sandback Museum in Winchedon, Massachusetts (open until 1996)
2003
Fred Sandback dies on 23 June in New York
Selected Solo Shows
2019
Julius Heinemann. Fred Sandback – Livie Fine Art, Zurich
2018
Fred Sandback. The Properties of Light (Inside and Outside) – Proyectos Monclova, Mexico City
2017
Fred Sandback. A Sampling of Works – Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art, Winnipeg, Canada
2016
Fred Sandback. Vertical Constructions – David Zwirner, New York (cat.)
2015
Fred Sandback and Annemarie Verna Galerie. A Collaboration 1971–2003 – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
Fred Sandback. 64 Three-part Pieces – Pulitzer Arts, St. Louis
Fred Sandback. Light, Space, Facts – Glenstone, Potomac, USA (cat.)
2014
Fred Sandback. Drawings – Kunstmuseum Winterthur, Winterthur; Josef Albers Museum, Bottrop; Museum Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden (cat.)
2013
Fred Sandback – David Zwirner, London
Fred Sandback – Akira Ikeda Gallery, Tokyo
Fred Sandback. Sculptures for Corners and Related Drawings – Barbara Krakow Gallery, Boston
2012
Fred Sandback. Corner Constructions – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zürich
Fred Sandback. Zeichnungen und Graphik – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Fred Sandback. Decades, Works 1969–2000 – David Zwirner, New York (cat.)
2011
Fred Sandback. Porin taidemuseo – Pori Art Museum, Pori, Finland
Fred Sandback – Whitechapel Art Gallery, London
Fred Sandback – Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver, Colorado (cat.)
2009
Fred Sandback – David Zwirner, New York (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Skulpturen, Zeichnungen, Druckgraphik – Galerie Jürgen Becker, Hamburg
Fred Sandback – Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago
2008
Fred Sandback. Zeichnungen und ausgewählte Druckgraphik – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Fred Sandback. Zeichnungen und Projekte, 1966–1990 – Metropol Kunstraum, Munich (cat.)
2007
Fred Sandback. Sculpture and Drawings – Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago
Fred Sandback. Frühe Skulpturen – Metropol Kunstraum, Munich (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Sculptures and Drawings – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
Fred Sandback. Druckgrafik und Zeichnungen – Wolfram Voelcker Fine Art, Berlin
Fred Sandback – Musée de Grenoble, Grenoble
2006
Fred Sandback. Druckgraphik und Zeichnungen – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Fred Sandback. Early Work – Zwirner & Wirth, New York (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Large Scale Sculpture – David Zwirner, New York (cat.)
2005
Fred Sandback. Zeichnungen der 60er, 70er und 80er Jahre – Galerie Völcker & Freunde, Berlin
Fred Sandback. Drawings / Zeichnungen 1968–2000 – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich (cat.)
Fred Sandback – Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge, England (cat.)
Fred Sandback – Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Vaduz; Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh; Neue Galerie am Landesmuseum Joanneum, Graz (cat. and brochure)
2004
Fred Sandback. Zeichnungen und Druckgraphik – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Fred Sandback. Skulpturen, Zeichnungen, Druckgraphik, Portfolios 1968–1994 – Galerie Jürgen Becker, Hamburg
Fred Sandback. Sculpture – Galerie Meert Rihoux, Brussels
2003
Dia:Beacon, New York
Fred Sandback. 1943–2003 – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Three Sculptural Studies for the Pinakothek der Moderne – Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich
2002
Fred Sandback. Escultura – Museo Tamayo, Mexico City (cat.)
2001
Fred Sandback. Sculpture – Chinati Foundation, Marfa, Texas
2000
Fred Sandback – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
1999
Here and Now. Fred Sandback – Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, England (brochure)
1998
Fred Sandback. Installation und neue Zeichnungen – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
1997
Fred Sandback – Bregenzer Kunstverein, Palais Thurn und Taxis, Bregenz (cat.)
Fred Sandback – Galerie Hubert Winter, Berlin
1996
Fred Sandback – Forum for Contemporary Art, St. Louis, Missouri
Fred Sandback. Sculpture – Dia Center for the Arts, New York (brochure)
Fred Sandback – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
1994
Fred Sandback. Münchner Projekte, Zeichnungen, 1968–1975 – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
1992
Fred Sandback. Zeichnungen und Pastelle – Galerie Fred Jahn, Stuttgart
1991
Fred Sandback. Sculptures, 1968 – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
Fred Sandback – Magasin 3, Stockholm Konsthall, Stockholm (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Skulpturen, Zeichnungen, Druckgraphik – Galerie Jürgen Becker, Hamburg
1990
Fred Sandback – Galleria Primo Piano, Rome
Fred Sandback. Seven-part Vertical Construction – Lawrence Markey Gallery, New York
Fred Sandback. ‚Shadowrooms‘. Pastelle und Pochoirs – Galerie Jahn und Fusban, Munich
Fred Sandback. Sculpture and Drawing – David Nolan Gallery, New York
Fred Sandback. Drawings – Victoria Miro Gallery, London
1989
Fred Sandback. Sculpture – Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Sculpture – Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Connecticut (cat.)
1988
Fred Sandback – Liliane & Michel Durand-Dessert, Paris
Fred Sandback – Dia Art Foundation, New York
Fred Sandback. Zeichnungen 1965–1987 – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Fred Sandback – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
1987
Fred Sandback. Die gesamte Grafik – Städtisches Museum, Schloss Morsbroich, Leverkusen (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Diagonal Constructions /Broken Lines. Skulpturen und Zeichnungen – Kestner-Gesellschaft, Hannover (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Vertical Constructions – Westfälischer Kunstverein, Münster (cat.)
Fred Sandback. New Work and Work from 1967. Sculpture, Prints, and Drawings – Fred Sandback Museum, Winchendon, Massachusetts
1986
Fred Sandback. Sculpture 1966–1986 – Städtische Kunsthalle, Mannheim (cat.)
Fred Sandback – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
Fred Sandback. Installation mit neuen Skulpturen. Neue Zeichnungen und Aquarelle. Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
1985
The Art of Fred Sandback. A Survey – Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Skulpturen, Installationen, Zeichnungen – Kunsthaus Zürich, Zurich (cat.)
Fred Sandback – Liliane & Michel Durand-Dessert, Paris
1984
Fred Sandback – Le Consortium, Dijon
1983
Fred Sandback. Six Constructions from 1967 and Recent Graphic Works – Marian Goodman Gallery, New York
Fred Sandback. New Graphic Work and a Continuing Exhibition of Sculpture from 1967–1981 – Fred Sandback Museum, Winchendon, Massachusetts
Fred Sandback. 22 Photostats – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
1981
Fred Sandback. Sculpture – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
Fred Sandback – Liliane & Michel Durand-Dessert, Paris
Fred Sandback – Fred Sandback Museum, Winchendon, Massachusetts (cat.)
1978
Fred Sandback. New Works – Heiner Friedrich, Inc., New York
Fred Sandback. Neue Arbeiten – Galerie Heiner Friedrich, Cologne
Fred Sandback. Seven Constructions from 1977 – Institute for Art and Urban Resources, P.S. 1, Long Island City, New York
Projects. Fred Sandback – Museum of Modern Art, New York
1977
Fred Sandback. Skulpturen und Druckgraphik 1976 und 1977 – Edition der Galerie Heiner Friedrich, Munich
1976
Fred Sandback – Heiner Friedrich, Inc., New York
Fred Sandback. Sculpture and Prints – John Weber Gallery and Brooke Alexander, Inc., New York
Fred Sandback – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
1975
Fred Sandback – Hessisches Landesmuseum, Darmstadt
Fred Sandback. Installationen – Kunstraum, Munich (cat.)
Fred Sandback Neue Grafik (Zeichnungen, Linolschnitte, Radierungen, Lithographien.) –Edition der Galerie Heiner Friedrich, Munich (cat.)
1974
Fred Sandback. Grafik, Zeichnungen – Städtisches Museum, Schloss Morsbroich, Leverkusen (brochure)
Fred Sandback. Sixteen Two-part Pieces – John Weber Gallery, New York
Fred Sandback – Galleria Milano, Milan (cat.)
Fred Sandback. Einraumausstellung – Museum Folkwang, Essen (cat.)
1973
Fred Sandback. Zwei vertikale Installationen – Kunsthalle Bern, Bern (artist’s book)
Fred Sandback – Galerie nächst St. Stephan, Vienna (artist’s book)
Fred Sandback – Galerie im Taxispalais, Innsbruck (artist’s book)
Fred Sandback – Galerie Heiner Friedrich, Munich (artist’s book)
1972
Fred Sandback – John Weber Gallery, New York
1971
Fred Sandback – Galerie Heiner Friedrich, Munich
Fred Sandback – Galerie Reckermann, Cologne
Fred Sandback. Installations. Zeichnungen – Annemarie Verna Galerie, Zurich
1970
Fred Sandback – Dwan Gallery, New York
Fred Sandback – Galleria Françoise Lambert, Milan
Fred Sandback – Galerie Yvon Lambert, Paris
Fred Sandback – Galerie Heiner Friedrich, Munich
1969
Fred Sandback. Five Situations. Eight Separate Pieces – Dwan Gallery, New York
Fred Sandback – Ace Gallery, Los Angeles
Fred Sandback. Installations – Museum Haus Lange, Krefeld (cat.)
1968
Fred Sandback. Plastische Konstruktionen – Konrad Fischer Galerie, Düsseldorf
Fred Sandback – Galerie Heiner Friedrich, Munich