The Lorence-Monk Gallery, founded in 1985 by Susan Lorence and Robert Monk was located at 568-578 Broadway, in the SoHo section of New York City. Prior to establishing the gallery, Susan Lorence was the American Director of the Petersburg Press and Robert Monk was the Director of Castelli Graphics.
The Lorence-Monk Gallery promoted the work of contemporary and emerging artists, featuring a diverse selection of paintings, prints, sculptures, and photographs. The gallery held rotating exhibits organized by theme, individual artists, and group shows. Among the younger generation of artists represented by the gallery were: John Beerman, Jasper Johns, Jürgen Partenheimer, Alan Saret, Carole Seborovski, Alan Uglow, and Günter Umberg.
Beginning with its inaugural show "A Print Survey, 1960-1985," the Lorence-Monk Gallery became a major venue for the graphic arts, including lithographs, etchings, screenprints, and woodcuts. Exhibitions featured the work of prominent artists, many who had worked in other media, such as Richard Artschwager, David Hockney, Jasper Johns, Bruce Nauman, and Barnett Newman.
The gallery's exhibitions included sculpture and object installations, offering the works of Kim Jones, Laurie Parsons, Ursula von Rydingsvard, Sandy Skoglund, and others. The Lorence-Monk Gallery promoted independent publishers of prints, portfolios, and books, including Peter Blum Editions, Diane Villani Editions, and the Universal Limited Art Editions (ULAE). Several exhibitions were organized by independent curators, such as Marvin Heiferman, Clarissa Dalyrymple, and Christopher Sweet. Also there were exhibitions held in conjunction with other galleries, including Leo Castelli Graphics, Jim Kempner Fine Art, and the Robert Miller Gallery.
The gallery closed in 1992. Susan Lorence continues to work as a New York-based independent dealer. Robert Monk is Director at the Gagosian Gallery in New York City.
The records of Lorence-Monk Gallery measure 3.4 linear feet and date from 1961-1992. The collection consists of exhibition files and scrapbooks documenting approximately ninety exhibitions and over 250 American and European artists represented by the Lorence-Monk Gallery from its opening in 1985 until it closed its operation in 1992.
The collection is arranged into 2 series:
The Lorence-Monk Gallery Records were donated by Susan Lorence and Robert Monk in 2002.
Use of original papers requires an appointment.
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Lorence-Monk Gallery records, 1961-1992. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
The collection was processed by Joy Weiner in 2006.
This series documents approximately ninety exhibitions organized and jointly sponsored by the Lorence-Monk Gallery. Files include annotated checklists, price lists, consignments, loan agreements; the materials provide an overview of the gallery's daily operations and business dealings with artists and dealers. Also included are curriculum vitae, artists' statements, press releases, reviews, transcripts of interviews and notes that chronicle the gallery's promotion of contemporary and emerging artists, many who have since become part of the established art scene.
Files include photographs of installations and artwork. Exhibitions were limited runs of a few weeks; the installation shots provide a rich visual resource of the contemporary work advanced by the gallery. There are some photographs of artists. Also found are slides of artwork.
Exhibition files are arranged in chronological order. Miscellaneous photographs are located at the end of the exhibition files.
"Painting the Object" (1986 June 14-July 26), General
"Painting the Object" (1986 June 14-July 26), Photos of Installation and Transparencies of Artwork
"Group Exhibition: Judy Fiskin, Brian Gayman, Kim Jones, Paul Laster, Paul Mogensen, and Laurie Parsons" (1987 January 10-January 31)
"Laurie Parsons" (1988 May 7-May 28)
"Bruce Nauman, A Print Retrospective in Conjunction with Castelli Graphics" (1989 September 16-October 14): Photographs of Installations
"Laurie Parsons" (1990 May)
Exhibition scrapbooks contain curriculum vitate, exhibition announcements, checklists, printed material, clippings, press releases, and photographs of exhibition installations and artwork. The scrapbooks document the gallery's exhibitions during its seven years in business.
Much of the materials in the scrapbooks can be found in Series 1: Exhibtions Files. Also scrapbooks include exhibitions not found in Series 1: Exhibition Files.
Exhibition scrapbooks were received in eight binders. The processor disbound the material and filed the items within folders, retaining the original order that they were received. Files are arranged in chronological order.