Reflection

John Kacere

An early example of a portrait by John Kacere who did this while studying in Iowa with Mauricio Lasansky. Kacere experimented with the image, using multiple color plates and a variety of techniques, including deep-bite etching, aquatint, soft-ground, scraping and burnishing, with rolled on colors.

This print features the artist's inked handprint on the verso, a common sight found on the works of Lasansky's students and the effect of his particular way of "flipping" the prints from the press.

John Kacere went on to work as an abstract expressionist and, in 1969 his work took an abrupt turn and became controversial, earning him the unofficial title of "butt painter." His work became photorealist and involved the midsections of women dressed in lingerie. He became an icon in photorealist circles.

In 1978 one of his paintings was used as the cover of musician Jorge Santana's first album (Jorge Santana is the younger brother of famous Carlos Santana).

He began his teaching career in 1950 at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. He also taught at the University of Florida, Arizona State University, the Rhode Island School of Design, New York University, the University of New Mexico, and Cooper Union and the Parsons School of Design in New York City.