Like We Were Mechanics
Donald Sultan on Kenneth Tyler
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Portrait of Donald Sultan in front of Green Apples and Eggs Jan. 12, 2000. Tyler Graphics, Mount Kisco, New York, 2000. Gift of Kenneth Tyler 2002. Photographer: Marabeth Cohen-Tyler © National Gallery of Australia
Renowned American artist DONALD SULTAN joined Dr WARWICK HEYWOOD, Curator of International Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Australia, in conversation at New York’s IFPDA Print Fair to explore Sultan’s time at Tyler Graphics working alongside KENNETH E. TYLER between 1996 and 2000.
In April 2026 the National Gallery celebrated the publication of Tyler Graphics: Catalogue Raisonné, 1986–2001 at the IFPDA (International Fine Print Dealers Association), with a conversation between American artist Donald Sultan and Dr Warwick Heywood, Curator of International Prints and Drawings at New York's Park Avenue Armoury.
Moderated by New York-based writer and art historian J. Cabella Ahn, the panel reflected on Sultan’s time at Tyler Graphics working alongside Kenneth Tyler in the late 1990s, and how the pioneering studio environment influenced Sultan's techniques and artistic direction.
During the session, Sultan vividly recalled his first impressions of Tyler's studio.
‘Most of the other places that I would go, basically I would tell them what I wanted to do and I would do it,’ Sultan said. ‘When I got to Ken’s, I always like to say, I had some ideas but when I went into his shop and saw this monolith of technology and stuff, everything went out of my head.
‘I had no idea what I would do – I was a little petrified.’
At the time, Sultan said, he had little idea of what Tyler and his studio was capable of – or even where to begin.
‘He had an idea of where to begin,’ Sultan said. ‘So we sort of worked together to achieve something that I wouldn’t have known how to do. He introduced me to a lot of things – with Ken I would work with maybe five different kinds of printing on one print. We could have etching, we could have woodblock, we could have lithography, all on one plate.
‘[Ken] liked to be hands-on, and you can see that from the pictures. He’s always present.’
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Kenneth Tyler lifts Donald Sultan's relief print Butterfly February 26 1996 off the press at Tyler Graphics, Mount Kisco, New York, 1996. Gift of Kenneth Tyler 2002. Photographer Marabeth Cohen-Tyler © National Gallery of Australia
‘It was a workshop in the oldest sense of the word – I liked that about it. He had Tyler Graphics bibs made like we were mechanics. He was like that, he was a mechanic – an admirable guy, but very demanding.’
It was the beginning of a formative partnership, as Tyler and his team applied innovative and creative solutions to realise – and consistently reproduce – Sultan’s work.
‘He would see what I was trying to do,’ Sultan says of working collaboratively with Tyler and his team – while also leaving them to their process.
‘It’s like going to get a suit made – you don’t watch the tailor sewing every day, you just expect it to fit.’
Watch the entire conversation on the IFDPA YouTube Channel below.
Tyler Graphics Catalogue Raisonné 1986–2001 is available to order for Australian and North American readers.