~MAX SCHUMANN steps down from PRINTED MATTER . . .
MAX SCHUMANN, then the Associate Director of PRINTED MATTER,
at his customary perch inside the alternative book shop.
Archival Photo by: NANCY SMITH, NYC, Oct 22, 2005.
MAX announced this past January, 2023 that he would be stepping down as Executive Director, and sure enough, slightly behind schedule, Printed Matter announced that this Sept 13th, 2023 week, would be his last. “After eight years in the role of Director, and more than thirty years contributing” . . immeasurably to the growth of this arts-focused indie voice, including the Art Book Fairs, in multiple & various roles, and in a big way inspiring the indie Zine movement & personally bringing to life, along the way – many small, limited edition artist books.
“With so many exciting projects on the horizon it will be difficult to leave, however I feel that the time is right for me to move on to other pursuits, chief among them my return to my artwork.”
~Max Schumann
There will be an “informal send-off” to Max on Thurs Sept 14, 2023 from 6 – 8 PM at the Chelsea storefront, 231 11th Avenue, NYC.
see: PRINTED MATTER
“return to his artwork”, is not a glib statement / Printed Matter, the N.Y., and now L.A. Art Book Fairs, and other people’s projects in general devoured Max, and he gave his creative and visionary ‘all’ – but, now maybe the painter inside Max can step forward again, and
may the new, great American atmospheric, realist, politically-hinged painter of our generation, emerge, and receive the recognition he deserves.
I caught a few of his humble, but deeply-felt, early painting shows, but my fav was:
‘Max Schumann: The Return of Freedom’, Taxter & Spengelmann, Chelsea, NYC /
November 30 – January 12, 2008.
this was the hard copy invite, exhibit poster / card. it was approx 4 x 6 in.
the illustration is a work of Max’s, ‘CHEVY CHASE’S GRAND BAHAMA VACATION.’
MAX SCHUMANN, ‘Untitled, (The Last Terroir)’, acrylic on board / 42 x 72 in.
MAX SCHUMANN at the ‘Return of Freedom’ opening.
MAX SCHUMANN, ‘FREEDOM – $500′.
I think that was the price, but maybe the title.
maybe – both !!
hard to say – so many years later.
my notes long lost – into years’ worth of filed archive binders.
but – great painting, no doubt.
MAX SCHUMANN, ‘EXCELLENCE – $200’, in ‘THE RETURN of FREEDOM’, PART I,
his second solo show at TAXTER & SPENGLEMANN, NYC.
November 30 – December 22, 2007
ALL PHOTOS: ARCHIVAL COLLECTION of NANCY SMITH / NANCY SMITH PHOTOS, NOV 30, 2007