NORTH ADAMS, MA.- The Artist Book Foundation is presenting its latest exhibition, Robert Kipniss: Shades of Nature, in coordination with the 10th anniversary of the publication, Robert Kipniss: Paintings and Poetry, 1950–1964. This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the life and work of acclaimed painter, printmaker, and poet Robert Kipniss, and showcases his early works from the 1950s and 1960s as well as pieces from his later career.

Robert Kipniss: Shades of Nature delves into two significant periods of Kipniss’s artistic evolution. The exhibition opens with a visual exploration of the young poet and painter discovering his artistic voice during the 1950s and 1960s. These early drawings and paintings offer a profound insight into this critical phase of Kipniss’s career when he made the pivotal decision to devote himself entirely to painting, storing away his passion for poetry.

The exhibition also presents Kipniss’s foray into printmaking, which he reluctantly began in 1967 yet ultimately developed a deep affinity for the medium. Visitors will have the opportunity to appreciate early print works, highlighting the artist’s enduring passion for printmaking that has resulted in over 750 editions in drypoint, etching, lithography, and mezzotint.

In addition to early works, Robert Kipniss: Shades of Nature unveils his late career masterpieces from the 1990s onward. While Kipniss stopped painting in 2018 due to physical challenges, he continues to express his artistic vision through drawing and printmaking.

Kipniss’s captivating book, Robert Kipniss: Paintings and Poetry, 1950–1964, published by The Artist Book Foundation a decade ago, complements this retrospective exhibition. The publication highlights a remarkable collection of previously unpublished poems, early paintings, and drawings, and is expertly choreographed to provide a contemplative exploration of Kipniss’s influential and formative years.