biografia di Ibram LASSAW (1913-2003)

Birth place: Alexandria, Egypt

Addresses: Emigrated to NYC 1921; East Hampton, NY, 1973

Profession: Sculptor

Studied: Clay Cl. (later the Sculpture Center), with D. Denslow, 1926-30; Beaux Arts Inst. Design, 1930-31; City Col. NY; McCartan.

Exhibited: WMAA, 1936-66; Am. Abstract Artists, 1938-46; Art of the Century, 1944; Mus. Living Art, 1942; PAFA Ann., 1953, 1962, 1966; Kootz Gal., NYC (many solo shows); MIT, 1957 (retro.); Modern Sculpture, Sheldon Mem. Art Gal., Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln, NE; Parrish Art Mus., Southampton, NY; Artists of Suffolk County, "The Abstract Tradition," Hecksher Mus., Huntington, NY; Guild Hall Mus., Easthampton, NY (retrospective); Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN, 1970 (solo); Hecksher Mus., 1973 (retro.); NYC WPA Art" at Parsons School Design, 1977; Kennedy Galleries, NYC, 1970s."

Member: Am. Abstract Artists (founder, 1936; pres., 1946-49); Artists Club (charter mem., 1949); Clay Cl.

Work: Springfield (Mass.) MFA; Newark Mus.; Albright-Knox Art Gal., Buffalo, NY; BMA; WMAA; MoMA; MoMA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Commissions: "Pillar of Fire," Beth El Temple, Springfield, MA; Baldachin & altar screen, House of Theology of Franciscan Fathers, Centerville, OH; "Clouds of Magellan," Philip Johnson's Glass House; hanging sculp. for lobby, Hilton Hotel, NY; Beth El Temple, Providence, RI; Temple of Aaron, St. Paul, MN; Temple Anshe Chesed, Cleveland, OH

Comments: An Abstract Expressionist sculptor and specialist in direct metal, he is best known for his 1950s' wire and metal linear mazes which explored drawing" in space. Positions: Fed. Arts Project, Public Works Admin., 1933-42. Teaching: Contemporary Artists Center, NYC; instr., YMHA, 92nd St, New York, 1935-36; instr., Am. Univ., 1950; artist-in-residence, Duke Univ., 1962-63; visiting artist, UC, Berkeley, 1965-66; also private classes in studio.

Sources: WW73; WW47; Baigell, Dictionary; Craven, Sculpture in America, 635-40; E.C. Goossen, et. al., Three American Sculptors: Ferber, Hare, Lassaw (Grove Press, 1959); Dore Ashton, Modern American Sculpture (Abrams, 1970); George M. Cohen, A History of American Art (Laurel-Dell, 1971); New York City WPA Art, 98 (w/repros.); Falk, Exh. Record Series.