Women of Abstract Expressionism

Untitled (1951), Frankenthaler

In February of 2017, the Palm Springs Art Museum (PSAM) held the "Women of Abstract Expressionism" (WoAE) exhibit. While still volunteering at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), I created a MS PowerPoint presentation to give to my then committee of department volunteer chairs. I've blogged about several of the dozen artists in past posts, but not the entire group.

This untitled work by Helen Frankenthaler is reminiscent of a work by Spanish Surrealist, Joan Miró. I'm thinking of his Harlequin's Carnival (1925).

The Palm Springs area is rich in art, including multiple locations/venues​ (e.g. Palm  Desert), and events (e.g. Desert X)​. In 2017, Palm Desert was showcasing “Glass of the New Millennium”​ at Kaplan/Ostergard Glass Center​. Other attractions included: The Galen and the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden​; and Desert X – International Art Biennial in the Coachella Valley​. Lots of artsy things to do and see!

PSAM contains a mezzanine level overlooking a large atrium​. There is a wide variety of art on display, including a Chihuly in “Contemporary Glass”​.

The WoAE originated at Denver Art Museum, exhibited June – Sept 2016, and then on to the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina.​ It celebrates the “Divine 12”, often unknown or unrecognized female artists of the mid twentieth century. Many of these women were still alive when we visited.

Mountains and Sea (1952), Frankenthaler

Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) is famous for Color Field paintings and Lyrical Abstraction. I appreciate her pastel compositions the most, as opposed to some of her larger, more monochromatic (red) works. See Palm Springs 2020. Here, I see a portrait of a woman in a fancy hat! This is reminiscent of Kandinsky's (1913) Improvisation 31 (Sea Battle). See my post entitled, Our National Gallery of Art in DC. See also, Palm Springs Art -- Marilyn Monroe & Museum Exhibitions.

JFK (1963)

Elaine de Kooning (1918-89), wife of Willem de Kooning, is probably most famous for her figurative expressionism, and specifically her portrait of President John F. Kennedy. I included the portrait in My Art Journey.

The Eye is the First Circle (1960), Krasner

Lee Krasner (1908-84), wife of Jackson Pollock, was famous in her own right. Expressing her grief at the loss of her husband and mother in 1959, Krasner painted The Eye is the First Circle in 1960. Its title is a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson's Circles, an essay about spiritual growth.

Inclement Weather (1970), Hartigan

Grace Haritgan (1922-2008) used vibrant colors and sometimes representational elements in her abstract compositions. It is currently on display at  the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

Antigone I (1958), Schwabacher

Ethel Schwabacher (1903-84) expressed anxiety and loss in her paintings following the death of her husband, Wolf in 1951. Wolf was a Jewish entertainment lawyer with clients such as the Marx Brothers. Studying under artist Arshile Gorky from 1934-36, she wrote his biography.

All Green (1954), Abbott

Mary Abbott's (1921-2019) work was inspired by nature and the jungles of the Caribbean. She was a descendant of President John Adams, a debutant and model in her youth, and a student of artist Mark Rothko. Although not representative of a jungle per-se, she's expressing how she feels by using the colors of the foliage and the sea.

Incision (1958-61), DeFeo

Jay DeFeo's (1929-89) Incision was both large and impressive when viewed in person at PSAM. Although it is largely shades of gray, the use of thickly applied oil paint and string seem to drip off the canvas. 

The Wave, Roaring, Breaking (1959), Fine

Russia-born artist, Perle Fine (1905-88) was a protégé of Dutch artist, Piet Mondrian and a student of Hans Hofmann. She used hard-edged pure abstraction as her trademark method. This is yet another example of oil and collage. Bristling (1946) uses oil and sand, and shows the influence of Mondrian.

The Beginning (1960), Gechtoff

Ukrainian-American artist, Sonia Gechtoff (1926-2018) was inspired by Giotto’s Arena Chapel in Padua, Italy where she spent time viewing frescos of the early Renaissance artist. It is intended to be a Genesis story and heavily influenced by Giotto.

Harlem (1981), Godwin

Lyrical abstract expressionist, Judith Godwin's (1930-2021) work has been displayed in over thirty-five art galleries. It's characterized by large organic shapes and sweeping brushstrokes. She was also a student of Hans Hofmann, who became her mentor.

Exodus (1960), Remington

Finally, Deborah Remington (1930-2010) also used hard-edged abstraction in her early works, then transformed into a machine-age abstraction, reflecting machines and industrial design during the era between the World Wars. Her work typically includes red and blue lines with black in the background.

Many of these expressionists were inspired by writers and poets whose works themselves are subject to interpretation.