Yesterday I received this email from one of Atlanta’s premier art galleries, the Alan Avery Art Company, also known as Trinity Gallery . I am reprinting the email with permission from the gallery’s administrator, Maria Lundin
“It is with great sadness that we inform you that one of the great women artists of this century, Helen Frankenthaler, died Tuesday, December 27 at her home in Darien, Connecticut. She was 83 years old. As an Abstract Expressionist, her unique style and technique helped introduce what is known as Color Field painting and influenced artists such as Morris Louis and Kenneth Noland. Frankenthaler, whose 13 year marriage to the painter Robert Motherwell ended in 1971, is survived by her second husband,Stephen M. DuBrul, Jr.
Helen Frankenthaler is featured as one of the three great American women artists in our current exhibition, The Glass Ceiling Shattered.
Her long time assistant Maureen St. Onge phoned yesterday around 2:30 and stated that Helen was honored to be a part of our exhibition, believed to be the last while she was still alive. She further stated that Helen was humbled by my choice as one of the three great American artists. She noted that she intentionally left out the term "women." Knowing Frankenthaler's stand on this issue, I had to laugh. She will be missed.
Frankenthaler's work will be on view at AlanAvery Art Company through February 10, 2012. “
Helen Frankenthaler, has always been one of my favorite artist. Not only did I respect her courage to express herself in such a minimal way, but also because she opened doors for so many contemporary women artists. Helen’s recent passing, along with so many creative giants that have inspired me, is a reminder that my time is limited and I should make every moment a renewed dedication to creativity.
