An exhibition of nine block sculptures and more by Anne Truitt (1921-2004), an early minimalist, ends today at the National Gallery of Art.
The show includes two paintings and 12 works on paper representing the different media she used from 1961 to 2002. Wikipedia says her early 1960s' pieces are "considered her most important work."
On its website, the National Gallery describes minimalism as "the sculptural tendency that emerged in the 1960s featuring pared-down geometric shapes scaled to the viewer’s body and placed directly on the floor."
Unlike other artists of the genre, Ms. Truitt sanded and painted her wooden sculptures by hand and used bold colors.
She was born in Baltimore but considered Washington her home, living here most of her life, and renting various studios around town. (Is there an Anne Truitt studio tour?) While raising a family of three children and performing all the household chores demanded of a mother, she snatched 15 minutes here and there to make art. (Note to moms: You can do it!)
A visit to the Guggenheim Museum in 1961 inspired Ms.Truitt to begin making smaller geometric figures.
The show, In the Tower: Anne Truitt, originally scheduled to end April 1, was extended three months, due to a Gallery decision in January to postpone a Chuck Close exhibition because of his alleged sexual misconduct. (Thomas Roma is another artist set to be honored this fall at the National Gallery, also postponed for the same reason. Thank you, National Gallery of Art!)
It's ironic that Ms. Truitt's art continues to occupy space originally reserved for that of Mr. Close since in the 1960s, she suffered the effects of sexism as much as any other women of the period. Her dealer tried to get her to hide her first name and others in the art world set up her first solo show without any input from Ms. Truitt but called her "the gentle wife of James Truitt," a newspaper writer. Her art is owned by major galleries throughout the world.
For insight into her personality and background, please see her obituary from the Washington Post.
The National Gallery's James Meyer curated the show.
What: In the Tower: Anne Truitt
When: The National Gallery of Art is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday. The exhibition closes Sunday, July 8, 2018.
Where: The Tower, East Building, the National Gallery of Art, between Third and Ninth streets at Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. On the Mall.
Admission charge: It's always free at the National Gallery of Art.
Metro stations for the National Gallery of Art:
Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, Navy Memorial-Archives or L'Enfant Plaza
For more information: 202-737-4215
patricialesli@gmail.com
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