•**New Prints November 2008: •

Caolite's Rabble: Two Goldfinches from Slieve na-n Eun, Intaglio, 18" x 12"
Caolite's Rabble: Two Redbreasts From the Great Wood, Intaglio, 18" x 12"
Caolite's Rabble: Four Woodpeckers from Slieve na-n Eun, Intaglio, 24" x 18"

JOEL L. ELGIN

Statement 2006

The rich history of my Irish roots drives me to explore the numerous myths, mysteries and truths that exist in the forms of text and image. To know my past I have traveled six times to Ireland and each time been lost in the mist that exists between myth and truth.

Most recently I have fallen under the influence of Ireland’s most ancient sites. Through the generosity of the Irish Government I was allowed to enter passage tombs built over five thousand year ago.

As I crawled underground through the narrow decorated tunnels, I was struck by the brilliance of the people who created these sacred spaces. In candlelight I ran my fingers over the beautifully carved stone and found myself enchanted by the magic of their mysterious message. The prints I make are a reflection of the deep respect I hold for the ancient Irish: for their creation myths/truths, for their gods and heroes and for the powerful gifts they have left us.

Statement 2009

The rich history of my Celtic roots drives me to explore the numerous myths, mysteries and truths that
exist in the forms of text and image. To know my past I have traveled three times to Ireland and each time
been lost in the mist that exists between myth and truth.

I have become influenced (enchanted) by the colors, textures, smells, sounds and tastes of Ireland.
Each myth and legend I discover through reading, then through actual physical exploration of the site demands the creation of a new print. The production of the print furthers my process of learning specific
information and yet at the same time opens, more fully, the vein that connects me to my Irish heritage.

I have learned each moment I devote to researching mythology, icons, or wandering Irish ruins
strengthens my deep respect and homage for my ancestry. The prints I create are a reflection of this respect.

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The Goddesses :
Iolar Móran         Fand and Li Ban

About Iolar Móran:CLICK
About Fand and Li Ban:Click

• Platework •
Iolair • Intaglio - Drypoint, line etch, aquatint, softground, simultaneous color, multi-plate color, monoprint,
selective wipe, extensive scraping and burnishing. Printed on Arches Cover white.

 Fan & LiBan • Drypoint, line etch, aquatint, softground, chine colle, simultaneous color, multi-plate color,
monoprint, selective wipe, extensive scraping and burnishing. Printed on Arches Cover white.

 • Platework •
• Intaglio: Drypoint, line etch, aquatint, softground, simultaneous color, multi plate color, mono-print,
selective wipe, extensive scraping and burnishing. Printed on Arches Cover white. • 

• Platework •
• Intaglio: Drypoint, line etch, aquatint, softground, simultaneous color, multi plate color, mono-print,
selective wipe, extensive scraping and burnishing. Printed on Arches Cover white. • 

• Platework •
• Intaglio: Drypoint, line etch, aquatint, softground, simultaneous color, multi plate color, mono-print,
selective wipe, extensive scraping and burnishing. Printed on Arches Cover white. • 

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Below

2 DETAILS - Joel Elgin, Br'u na Boinne - Winter Solstice at Newgrange: Ceiling 3 , 2006, Intaglio, 18" x 24"

About the Dagda Prints: CLICK

The Goddess: Clíona Cébha  and her Three Birds

The Birds of Clíona Cébha

On the Manannan Island Tadg also meets Clíona Cébha (Bird Goddess of the Afterlife). She tells him he is destined to be one of the Kings of Ireland. She gives him a gift. He is given three birds: one blue with a crimson head, one crimson with a green head, and one speckled with a gold head. The birds eat magical apples and heal the sick with their sweet songs. “Those birds will go with you,……they will give you guidance on your way, and they will make music for you, and there will be neither sorrow or sadness on you, by land or by sea,”

(Gregory, 98).

The Birds of Clíona Cébha: The Green Headed Bird

(7" H X 5" W). Intaglio: Drypoint, line etch, aquatint, softground, chine cole', simultaneous color, multi plate color, mono –– print, selective wipe, extensive scraping and burnishing.. Printed on Arches Cover white.

The Birds of Clíona Cébha: The Gold Headed Bird
5" H X 7" W). Intaglio: Drypoint, line etch, aquatint, softground, chine cole', simultaneous color, multi plate color, mono –– print, selective wipe, extensive scraping and burnishing.. Printed on Arches Cover white.

The Birds of Clíona Cébha: The Crimson Headed Bird
(7" H X 5" W). Intaglio: Drypoint, line etch, aquatint, softground, chine cole', simultaneous color, multi plate color, mono –– print, selective wipe, extensive scraping and burnishing. Printed on Arches Cover white.

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The Goddess Iolar Móran
In a quest to recapture his wife and his brothers from invaders Tadg arrives at the enchanted Manannan Island. While on the island he and his warriors encounter a rare race of giant eagles. They are great speckled birds who swim in the sea and are able to shed their bird skins and become humans. The print is a portrait of the Eagle Goddess Iolair/(Iolar Moran). She is red with a green head, her eggs are blue and crimson. She owns a feathered coat that turns humans into hawks.

(Gregory, 97)

The Goddess Iolar Móran
(12" H X 9" W). Intaglio: Drypoint, line etch, aquatint, softground, simultaneous color, multi-plate color, mono –– print, selective wipe, extensive scraping and burnishing. Printed on Arches Cover white.

Inislocha: The Lake Island in the Manannan’s Islands
On the same delightful island Tadg and his men come upon yet another new kind of bird. The birds were eating “……very sweet smelling, and round purple berries, every one of them bigger than a man’s head, and beautiful shining birds eating the berries, strange birds they were, having white bodies and purple heads and golden
beaks. And while they were eating the berries they were singing sweet music, that would have put sick men and wounded men to sleep……” (Gregory, 98). 10.)

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Caolite’s Rabble
A Fianna warrior named Caolite set out to avenge the capture of his master Finn, Son of Cumhal by the King at Teamhair (Tara). The King promises the release of Finn as soon as Caolite has brought to the King a couple of
all the wild creatures of Ireland. Caolite completes the astonishing request without magical help from gods or goddesses or fairies. He starts with the flocks of birds, and gathers up all the creatures for the sake of his master. These birds are from his extensive collection. (Gregory,129. 11.)

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Biographical Information

JOEL L. ELGIN

Joel Elgin earned both the M.A. and M.F.A. from the University of Iowa under Mauricio Lasansky. He taught for five years at Dartmouth College before his present position as Professor of Printmaking at The University of Wisconsin LaCrosse.

Elgin has served as a Lecturer/Visiting Artist at such places as Yale University, Swarthmore College and Auburn University. His prints have been exhibited in over seventy-five exhibitions and are included in numerous permanent collections including Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, Harvard University Art Museums, and the Cincinnati Art Museum.

The etchings consist of multiple plate color intaglio, simultaneous color printing methods, digital methods, and lithography. The image making methods utilized were learned from Lasansky; and reveal a very physical approach with deep aquatint etch, extensive scraping, multiple passes through the press as well as any other printmaking trick needed to support the content of the image. Jim Cuno, Director of Harvard University's Fogg Museum, stated after adding one of Elgin's etchings to the collection, that Elgin's work is "truly a product of the printmakers kitchen".

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Resume

Joel Elgin

EDUCATION

1984 M.F.A. in Printmaking, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
1983 M.A. in Printmaking, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Major Study With: Mauricio Lasansky

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

1995 - Present Professor of Art University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, LaCrosse, Wisconsin
1989 - 1995 Dartmouth College. Hanover, New Hampshire
Lecturer in Studio Art- Printmaker/ Director, Studio Art Exhibition Program
1985 - 1990 University of Maine at Machias Machias, Maine
Assistant Professor of Art, Director of Galleries –

GALLERY REPRESENTATION

Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
Olsen-Larsen Galleries Des Moines, Iowa

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

• Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
• Harvard University: Arthur M. Sackler, Fogg , Busch Reisinger Museums.
• Brugh Na Boinn Center Donore, Co. Meath Ireland
• Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio
• The Jules Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Auburn University Auburn, AL.
• Milwaukee Art Museum
• Kohler Art Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Kohler Art Library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• UW-Green Bay Permanent Collection
• International Studio for Color Etching , Barga, Italy
• University of Miami, Miami Florida
• Florida Printmakers, Miami, Florida
• WEA Insurance Group. Madison, WI
• Amity Foundation, Woodbridge, CT


SELECTED ONE ARTIST EXHIBITIONS

• Brugh Na Boinn: The Center Of The Oldest Heart Of Ireland” 2008
Brugh Na Boinn Center Donore, Co. Meath Ireland
• Brugh Na Boinn: The Center Of The Oldest Heart Of Ireland 2006/07
Verex Exhibit Winter 2006/7 Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
• “Prints of Ireland”, Northwestern College. IA  2006
• “Ruminations of Ireland”, St. Catherine College, Minn., MN  2006
• “Joel Elgin” Galeria de la Place, Wabasaka, Maine  2005
• “Apatheia – Peace of the Soul” Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio  2000
• “Apatheia – Peace of the Soul Prints of Saints and Martyrs” 2000
The Center Gallery Saint Mary's University - Winona, Mn –
• “Joel Elgin – Lives of The Saints” 2000
Koren Gallery Luther College Decorah, Iowa
• "Images of Athletes" 1997
Wayland Academy, Beaver Dam, WI
• “Prints by Joel Elgin” 1992
The University of Auburn at Montgomery, Montgomery, Al
• “Elgin Prints”, 1992, Simpson College, Indianola Iowa
• “Joel Elgin” 1991
Columbia Basin College, Pasco, Washington
• “Joel Elgin's Prints and Drawings” 1991
Grandview College, Des Moines, Iowa
• Into The Eye"- 1990
University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas
• "Into The Eye"- 1989
Dartmouth College- Jewett Exhibition Hanover, New Hampshire
• "Into The Eye"- 1989
Tasis England American School, Surrey, England
• "Prints and Paintings"- 1987
The Stony Brook School Gallery Long Island, New York,
• "Prints and Paintings"- 1987
Iowa Wesleyan College Mt. Pleasant, IA.

INVITATIONAL GROUP EXHIBITIONS

•    Four Printmakers                               April  2009
    Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
•    30TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION   March/April 2009
    Olsen-Larsen Galleries Des Moines, Iowa
• East Storefront Print Invitational
319 West 47th Street Ny, Ny 2008
• RED!!
Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin 2007
• Birds By a Baker's Dozen
Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin 2006
• UW Systemic Ante
SGC 2006 Conference Pyle Center University Wisconsin2006
• Florida Printmakers Second Invitational 2005
University Of Miami Rainbow Building, Miami, Florida
• Selected Prints from UWL Printmaking Program 2004
University Of Miami Rainbow Building, Miami, Florida
• Florida Printmakers Second National Print Exchange 2004
University Of Miami Rainbow Building, Miami, Florida
• Printzero Studios International Print Exchange –
Blue Door Gallery. Seattle, Washington, 2004
• Printzero Studios International Print Exchange – Laramie, WY, 2004
• Florida Printmakers Members Internet Exhibition 2004
• "Homeostatic” Invitational Group Exhibition. LeVall Gallery, Novosibi, Russia 2001
• “Peace” Internet Exhibition at World Printmakers 2002
• “Homeostatic” Portfolio exhibited at V International Conference: Culture and New Technologies,
Pablo de la Torriente Brau Cultural Centre, Havana, Cuba 2002
• “Homeostatic” Invitational Group Exhibition. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 2001
• “Homeostatic” Invitational Group Exhibition 2000
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana
• “Homeostatic” Invitational Group Exhibition Washington State University, Pullman, WA 2000
• “Homeostatic” Invitational Group Exhibition Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 2000
• Brittingham Art Invitational 2002
Brittingham House University of Wisconsin System Madison, Wisconsin
• "HomeoStatic” Invitational Internet Exhibition at World Printmakers 2001
http://www.worldprintmakers.com )
• "Homeostatic” Invitational Group Exhibition 2000
University of Minnesota - Morris- Morris, Minnesota
• Homeostatic Invitational Group Exhibition 2000 University of South Florida Tampa, Florida
• “Homeostatic” Invitational Group Exhibition 2000 Southern Graphics Council Miami, Florida
• Printmaking Invitational 1998 Winona Fine Arts Center Winona, MN
• Selected Wisconsin Faculty 1995 Winona Arts Center Winona, Minnesota
• 6X6 Traveling Exhibition1995/96 Central College, Simpson, Luther, Wartburg ,Coe, Cornell
• Invitational Group Print Exhibition 1994 The Penn. State University, State College, PA
• Four Printmakers 1994 Nesto Gallery, Milton Academy Milton, Ma
• Artists Against Aids 1989 University of Texas/E l Paso Gallery, El Paso, Texas
• Printmakers Who Teach 1989 Jewett Hall Gallery, University/Maine/Augusta, Augusta, Maine

PUBLICATIONS/ REVIEWS

2006 UW Systemic Ante Invitational Portfolio (18 UW System Printmakers)
Edited/Published by Christine Style –UW-Green Bay
2005 “The Celtic Prints” by Joel Elgin
Working Papers In Irish Studies Winthrop University, Rock Hill SC
ISSN: 0732-2674
2005 Florida Printmakers Second Invitational Portfoilo (19 International artists)
Edited/Published by the: University Of Miami Miami, Florida
2002 Review of prints included in Homeostatic Portfolio in " Papel &Estampa"
(Paper and prints) # 10 Argentina April

VISITING ARTIST or LECTURER
S
2008 Fall         Carelton College, MN.         Visiting Artist/Lecturer
2007 American Conference for Irish Studies Lecture
Southern Regional Conference Winthrop Univ., Rock Hill SC
2006 Northwestern College. IA Lecture
2006 St. Catherine's University, Minn. /MN. Lecture
2005 American Conference for Irish Studies Lecture
Southern Regional Conference Univ. of St.Thomas, Houston, TX
2004 American Conference for Irish Studies Lecture
Midwest Regional Conference – Univ. Wisc. Milwaukee WI
2002 Fall Auburn University, AL. Visiting Artist/Lecturer
2000 Spring St. Mary's Univeristy, MN. Lecturer
2000 Spring Luther College, Decorah, IA. Lecturer
1997 Fall Wayland Academy, Beaver Dam, WI. Visiting Artist/Lecturer
1996 Spring Graceland College, Lamoni, IA. Lecturer
1995 Spring Luther College, Decorah, IA. Lecture
1992 Fall Yale University, New Haven, CT. Visiting Artist/Lecturer
1992 Fall Simpson College, Indianola, IA. Artist in Residence
1992 Spring Amherst College, Amherst, NY. Visiting Artist/Lecturer
1989 Spring Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA. Visiting Artist/Lecturer

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