Cirrus Editions Ltd.

I n 1970, Jean Milant founded Cirrus Editions and Cirrus Gallery to be a Los Angeles workshop that operated as both a publisher and public exhibition space. Committed to supporting the work of local artists, Cirrus has played an important role in the growing LA arts community that thrives today. The Milwaukee-born Milant, who began printmaking at the universities of Wisconsin and New Mexico, invited his connections through a fellowship with the Tamarind Lithography Workshop to collaborate with printers at Cirrus. His new endeavor attracted artists such as Sam Francis, Ken Price, Ed Moses, Bruce Nauman and Judy Chicago, amongst others, who were in the early stages of their careers. Subsequently, Cirrus became one of the first to exhibit their editioned work at international fairs such as Art Basel.

For example, a collaboration with Ed Ruscha involved experimenting with food and household fluids as substitutes for ink, resulting in iconic works such as Pepto-Caviar Hollywood. Other boundary-pushing work from the studio includes Joe Goode’s “Gunshot Series,” which involved bullet holes shot through elaborate layers of handmade paper.

Having been in business for more than 50 years, Cirrus has made a significant impact on the art world, helping to legitimize printmaking as an artform and, to this end, a 1995 exhibit at LACMA entitled “Made in LA” celebrated the studio’s prints. The workshop is currently based on Santa Fe Avenue in Los Angeles.

Sotheby’s is proud to partner with Cirrus, offering access directly from the publisher, as well as providing an easy solution to purchase through its online Buy Now marketplace.