April 3 – 12, 1974
Art Gallery, Eugenia Fuller Atwood Library
This exhibition is organized by Judith Brodsky in conjunction with Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts.
Lee Krasner with students, c. 1974.
1974 BEAVER NEWS
“Abstract Expressionist’s solo show begins tomorrow” by Karen Schwartz
Lee Krasner, an outstanding American artist and one of the creators of the new art form of the ’40’s called “Abstract Expressionism,” will present a one-woman show from Wednesday, April 3 through Friday, April 12 in the Atwood Art Gallery of the library.
The exhibition, which is Ms. Krasner’s first solo show in Philadelphia, will consist of several works on paper, little image paintings, collages, and oils on canvas.
“Since this is the year in Philadelphia when we are all paying special attention to the artists who are women in our community, it is particularly appropriate to have this significant and inspiring exhibition of an artist who has achieved and contributed so very much,” said Jack Davis, chairman of the fine arts department. “She must surely be ranked among the most outstanding artists of the middle of the 20th century.”
Ms. Krasner, who grew up in Brooklyn, attended the National Academy of Design, City college of New York, and Greenwich house. She has also worked actively on Public Works of Art Project and for the Temporary Emergency Relief Administration.
Ms. Krasner, in one of the numerous group art shows where she displayed her work, was among other very prominent artists including Pollock, Gorky, Gottlieb, Hofmann, Pousette-Dart, and Rothko to be exhibiting her paintings and collages.
Some of Ms. Krasner’s work in recent years has been presented at solo exhibitions in major cities across the country including New York City, Detroit, San Francisco, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She has also shown her works at various solo shows in London. This year, Ms. Krasner was honored with a show of “Large Paintings” at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York.
Since Philadelphians have had little opportunity to see the work of this powerful painter, her solo exhibition here is considered by other artists to be a major event in the art scene for 1974 in Philadelphia.
In the past, Ms. Krasner was widely known as the wife of Jackson Pollock, America’s best known contemporary painter, but in recent years, her own name has begun to be talked about more often in collector’s circles.
The opening reception in honor of Lee Krasner and her work will be held Thursday evening, April 4, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Atwood Gallery. Ms. Krasner’s exhibition is being sponsored in cooperation with the Miami-Dade Community College in Florida, and the Marlborough Gallery in New York. Gallery Hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and 1 to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Lee Krasner lecturing with students in the exhibition space, c. 1974.
A CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN LEE KRASNER AND JACK DAVIS
April 23, 1974
Dear Lee:
Well, your show is down and in storage here waiting to go to South Carolina and I feel as if there is a big hole on the campus. It was just such a terrific exhibition.
I don’t know if you realized how excited we all were about having the show here and about your generosity to make the rip down and give that talk to the students. They loved it and we are still talking about the things you said. It meant a great deal to me to have them meet you and see how a first-class artist discusses art, and to sense your profound, direct, sturdy relation to painting. It’s a fine thing for them to understand, especially in contrast to so many of the fluffy ideas about these days. I know they must confront those ideas, but good to sense the possibility of your no-holds-barred dedication to painting. Also they enjoyed you immensely – felt you were someone who was willing to answer them straight on [and] would take the time to do so, and without any stand that they weren’t ready to hear anything you had to say.
It was a tremendous pleasure for me, too, to be able to spend the day with you and Jason. I enjoyed it from first to last!
I understand Fran Lewis of our Public Relations Department is making up a packet of material for you so I’ll just enclose several of the brochures for your records.
Again, thanks so much for agreeing to the show, and for giving the talk. It was a high point of our year and much more. Please give my regards to Jason. I hope we might all see each other again some day; until then,
Warm regards,
Jack Davis
Chairman, Department of Fine Arts
