Robert Rauschenberg, Chinese Summerhall, 1983. chromogenic print. 30 x 1200 in. Published by Graphicstudio, University of South Florida Collection. Credit: Photo by Peter Foe

Graphicstudio, the printmaking workshop at the University of South Florida (USF), has an international reputation among artists. As one of only three professional university-based print ateliers, it’s become a popular stopover in many influential artists’ creative journeys.

As Todd Smith, the former Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art, once put it, through Graphicstudio, USF introduced Tampa to “a veritable who’s who of contemporary art.”

This month, USF Contemporary Art Museum (USF CAM) introduces Tampa to one of Graphicstudio’s most innovative printmakers in “OFFSET: Robert Rauschenberg at USF Graphicstudio,” opening this Friday, Jan. 19.
Rauschenberg was one of the first artists Graphicstudio founder Donald J. Saff invited to Graphicstudio in the early-1970s. And the rest is art history.

“Rauschenberg pushed the boundaries of traditional printmaking in collaboration with Don Saff and the master printers,” Graphicstudio Director Margaret Miller told Creative Loafing Tampa.

He printed on unconventional surfaces—paper bags, cardboard, and gauze—and combined methods in ways that inspired a generation of artists.
Rauschenberg left a “tremendous legacy” at USF and beyond, Miller told CL.

Offset demonstrates that legacy by “presenting the work of artists influenced by Rauschenberg that have worked at Graphicstudio or presented work at the USF Contemporary Art Museum,” Miller told CL. “Works by Christian Marclay, Narsiso Martinez, Rochelle Feinstein, Trisha Brown, and Bosco Sodi are presented so that viewers can see the connection to and influence of Rauschenberg.”

“OFFSET: Robert Rauschenberg at USF Graphicstudio” opens Friday, Jan. 19 with “Donald Saff in Conversation with John Blakinger” at USF School of Music Barness Hall (MUS 107, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.) followed by an opening reception at USFCAM. The show runs Through March 2 at 3821 USF Holly Dr. in Tampa.
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