Louise Berliawsky Nevelson

Date of Birth: September 23, 1899

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: April 17, 1988

Biography

Louise Berliawsky Nevelson, born on September 23, 1899, in Pereiaslav, Ukraine, was an American sculptor known for her monumental, monochromatic, wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures. Nevelson emigrated to the United States with her family in 1905, settling in Rockland, Maine. She showed an early interest in art and pursued formal training at the Art Students League of New York. Nevelson emerged as a prominent figure in the American art scene in the mid-20th century, gaining recognition for her innovative use of found objects and her distinctive, large-scale assemblages. Her work often explored themes of femininity, spirituality, and the interplay between light and shadow. Nevelson’s sculptures are characterized by their intricate, puzzle-like construction, often painted in a single color, most famously black. She was a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of abstract expressionism and installation art, leaving an indelible mark on the art world with her unique vision and prolific output. Louise Nevelson continued to create art and exhibit her work until her death in 1988, solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century.

5 Interesting Facts about Louise Berliawsky Nevelson

1. Louise Nevelson’s work was featured in the U.S. pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 1962, one of the most prestigious art exhibitions in the world.

2. She often scavenged the streets of New York City for discarded objects, which she then transformed into her iconic sculptures.

3. Nevelson was a part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, which provided her with critical support early in her career.

4. Her first solo exhibition was held at the Nierendorf Gallery in New York City in 1941.

5. Nevelson’s work is held in major collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Louise Berliawsky Nevelson

1. “I never feel age… If you have creative work, you don’t have age or time.”

2. “When you put together things that other people have thrown out, you’re really bringing them to life – a spiritual life that surpasses the life for which they were originally created.”

3. “I think all great innovations are built on rejections.”

4. “Art is everywhere, except it has to pass through a creative mind.”

5. “I am not a feminist. I am an artist who happens to be a woman.”