PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Revolutionary Artist: The Prison Fantasies of David Alfaro Siqueiros

Davenport, Iowa (August 21, 2024) –A striking series of lithographs on loan from the Deere & Company collection will be making their way to the Figge Art Museum. Revolutionary Artist: The Prison Fantasies of David Alfaro Siqueiros will be on view in the Figge’s second-floor Lewis Gallery beginning Saturday.

David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896-1974), a pioneering force in Mexican mural painting and a founding figure of the modern school, alongside his contemporaries Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, will take center stage. Passionate about the transformative power of art in society, Siqueiros's "Prison Fantasies" lithographic prints offer a profound glimpse into his expressive and revolutionary vision.

Siqueiros, whose artistic journey was influenced by his studies with Jackson Pollock in New York, explores the emotional toll of his multiple incarcerations due to labor-union work and revolutionary political activities. The suite of six lithographs captures the essence of Siqueiros's masterful brushwork, characterized by loose and blurred strokes that showcase the artist's evolution in technique.

"The Figge is thrilled to be hosting this exciting loan from Deere and Company,” said Figge Senior Co-Curator Joshua Johnson. “Siqueiros's history of political activism, unjust incarceration, and artistic excellence will be on full display in this intimate but powerful exhibition." 

This exhibition serves as a visual translation of incarceration's emotional impact, providing viewers with a unique insight into Siqueiros's tumultuous political and artistic life.

In addition to Siqueiros's lithographs, the exhibition will feature complementary works on paper from the Figge's permanent collection by his revolutionary artist friends and contemporaries, including Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, and Elizabeth Catlett. This curated ensemble offers a comprehensive perspective on the interconnected lives and influences of these visionary artists during a pivotal period in history.

Revolutionary Artist: The Prison Fantasies of David Alfaro Siqueiros will be on view through June 9, 2024.

About the Figge Art Museum: 
The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together. Located on the Mississippi River  in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, is home to one of the Midwest’s finest art collections and presents world-class exhibitions, art classes, lectures, and special events that attract visitors of all ages. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays; and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations are not required but can be made at www.figgeartmuseum.org or by calling 563-345-6632. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and students with ID and $4 children ages 4-12. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and to all on Thursday evenings. You can become a member for as little as $50 by visiting the Figge website. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.   

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