Helen DeMott papers

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Helen DeMott papers

1896-1997

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9c19f5a9b-a27a-4b38-b252-e26840f61b16

The papers of painter Helen DeMott measure 7.9 linear feet and date from 1896-1997. DeMott's painting career from 1940-1996 is documented through her numerous sketchbooks and original artwork. Also found is biographical material, correspondence, writings and poems, scrapbooks, printed material, photographic material, audio and video recordings, and scattered material from collagist Ray Johnson.The scattered biographical material contains official documents, DeMott's resume, circulars and receipts from the Art School of the National Academy of Design, and two obituaries. Correspondence includes letters from publishers regarding DeMott's book proposal "Geography into Landscape," correspondence with universities and scientific institutions regarding her Wave series, and personal correspondence including letters from photographer, filmmaker, and painter Rudy Burckhardt, writer Alfred Chester, painter Clifford Wright, and collagist Edith Schloss.The bulk of the writings is DeMott's poetry, as well as some artist's statements, loose notes, a speech, travel diaries, and handwritten, typed, and edited manuscripts, including a typed manuscript of "Geography into Landscape." Writings by others include poetry by Celia Bland, Miriam Finkelstein, and Marie Ponsot. Scrapbooks document DeMott's research and artwork related to waves and includes clippings, photographs of artwork, sketches and notations, and typed notes on painting waves. Printed material includes magazine and newspaper articles about Helen DeMott and various other artists, and many articles related to water waves.Photographic material includes black and white photographs of DeMott's artwork and personal photographs. Of interest is a 1943 photograph of a group at the Art Students League which includes Ester Rolick, Edith Schloss, Max Eastman, and Helen DeMott. Also found are slides and transparencies of artwork and slides for lectures on waves. Audiovisual Recordings include one reel-to-reel tape and five videotapes, some related to DeMott's study of waves.There is one folder of material from collagist Ray Johnson containing scattered letters and mail art, exhibition fliers, and collages. Measuring 4.2 linear feet, the bulk of DeMott's papers are sketchbooks and original artwork spanning her artistic career. There are numerous loose sketches, notes, sketchbooks, holiday cards, watercolors, and oversized drawings in pencil, ink, and oil pastels, much of which is related to waves. Original artwork by others includes Esther Rolick and Edith Schloss.

Archives of American Art

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6630457

Archives of American Art

Related Entities

There are 16 Entities related to this resource.

Bland, Celia

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6nz9kq7 (person)

Burkhardt, Rudy.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gf260w (person)

Finkelstein, Miriam.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6hm6mqt (person)

DeMott, Helen, 1920-1997

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6n303s9 (person)

Painter; New York, N.Y. Helen DeMott (1920-1997) was a New York City based painter and poet; as well, she had become well-known as an East Village community activist. In 1968, DeMott focused her work on the study of waves, specifically the structure of water wave surfaces. In 1979, DeMott exhibited in solo and group exhibitions at the ground-breaking alternative space 112 Workshop/112 Green Street. From the description of Helen DeMott papers, [ca. 1960-1984]. (Unknown). WorldCat reco...

Burkhardt, Rudy

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6h262mb (person)

DeMott, Helen

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xf428m (person)

Helen DeMott (1920-1997) was a New York City based painter and poet and well-known East Village community activist. In the 1940s, DeMott attended the National Academy of Design and Art Students League. In the late 1960s, DeMott began focusing her work on the scientific study of waves, specifically the structure of water wave surfaces, a theme that remained in her work for the rest of her career. In 1974-1975, DeMott completed two building murals of water wave structures ...

Bland, Celia

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63k6dj1 (person)

Rolick, Esther G., 1922-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6j97jtx (person)

Painter, art instructor; New York, N.Y. From the description of Esther G. Rolick papers, 1941-1985. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79146692 ...

Schloss, Edith, 1919-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jm3f5r (person)

Ponsot, Marie.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65b0gz5 (person)

Wright, Clifford, 1919-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6p27gm7 (person)

Finkelstein, Miriam, 1974-....

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6d92c0z (person)

Eastman, Max, 1883-1969

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xw4hv3 (person)

Roving editor of Reader's Digest. From the description of Letters, 1945-1949. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145430278 Eastman, the brother of Crystal Eastman, translated Russian writings into English. From the description of Letter, 1968. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 232007545 Author. From the description of Papers, 1892-1968. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 40833141 From the description of Letters, 1943-1960....

Art Students League (New York, N.Y.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6323m92 (corporateBody)

Art school. Organized in 1875 by students as a revolt against the National Academy of Design school. From the description of Art Students League records, 1875-1955. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122565877 ...

Johnson, Ray, 1927-1995

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63n2610 (person)

Ray Johnson (1927-1995) was a painter from Locust Valley, N.Y. From the description of Oral history interview with Ray Johnson, 1968 Apr. 17 [sound recording]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82223586 Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ray Johnson is frequently referred to as the "father of mail art." He attended Black Mountain College in North Carolina from 1945 to 1948, then moved to New York. Although he worked as an abstract painter for several years, by 1953 Johnson h...

Chester, Alfred, 1928-1971

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6g74s2h (person)

American author and literary critic. From the description of Papers, 1950-1966. (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center (HRC); University of Texas at Austin). WorldCat record id: 122472956 Alfred Chester, the youngest of three children, was born on September 7, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Jake, a Jewish furrier and proprietor of the Alfred Fur Company, came to the United States as a child from Romania, his family name Americanized from Chesta-Polch...