Ruth Abrams (artist)

Ruth Abrams
Born1912
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died12 March 1986
NationalityAmerican
EducationColumbia University
Known forPainting
MovementNew York School

Ruth Abrams (1912 – 12 March 1986) was a Jewish-American painter.

Personal

Ruth Davidson Abrams was born in Brooklyn, New York. At 19, she was married to urban planner Charles Abrams, and studied at Columbia University.

Professional

From 1965 to 1966, Ruth Abrams was the art director at the Research Association of The New School, and also lectured at the Parsons The New School for Design. Abrams is known for outer-space painting, such as, ''There Are Unknown Elements in the Universe as Old as Mankind'' (1962). She also participated in art classes led by influential artists, including Alexander Archipenko and William Zorach, recognized for their use of abstraction in painting and sculpture.

As a painter, she belonged to the New York School.[1] After her death, a critic from The New York Times remarked that she was "a woman unfairly neglected in a macho era."[2] Her papers are held at the Yeshiva University Museum[1] and the Smithsonian Archives of American Art.[3]

Abrams worked with William Zorach, Alexander Archipenko, John D. Graham, and others.

Exhibitions

Abrams first solo exhibition was held at the Roko Gallery in 1956.[4] An exhibition of Abrams work was held from July 14 to August 26, 1986, following her death, at the Grey Art Gallery and Study Center in New York City.[5] A solo exhibition entitled: "Microcosms: Ruth Abrams, Abstract Expressionist" from August 12, 2012‐January 6, 2013 was held at the Yeshiva University Museum. Many of the canvases in the exhibit were shown for the first time.[6] In 2016 her biography was included in the exhibition catalogue Women of Abstract Expressionism organized by the Denver Art Museum.[4]

Publications

Abrams provided the illustrations for Ekistics, Athens, Greece & Arena-Interbuild (London, Eng., 1967).[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Guide to the Papers of Ruth Abrams (1912-1986), 1934-1986 (bulk 1970s)". Yeshiva University Museum. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  2. ^ Russell, John (1986-07-25). "Art: From Jan Groth, Tapestry and Drawing". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  3. ^ "Ruth Abrams papers, 1934-1983". Archives of American Art. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  4. ^ a b Marter, Joan M. (2016). Women of abstract expressionism. Denver New Haven: Denver Art Museum Yale University Press. p. 163. ISBN 9780300208429.
  5. ^ Livesay, Thomas A., and Thomas W. Sokolowski. 1986. Ruth Abrams: Paintings 1940 to 1985.
  6. ^ Ruth Abrams: Overlooked Jewish Female Painter Gets Retrospective At Yeshiva University Museum Huffington Post, August 9, 2012
  7. ^ Who Was Who in American Art 1564-1975. Madison, CT: Sound View Press. 1999. pp. v. 1, 50. ISBN 0932087558.