U.S. sculptor, painter. She was the pioneer creator of large wall, environmental wooden abstract sculpture, often using found objects.

Mirror Shadow

 

City on the High Mountain, 1983 Steel painted black 20' 6" x 23' x 13' 6"

Moon Passage, 1976

Louise Nevelson has been called one of the greatest sculptors of the 20th century and "the most celebrated female sculptor in the history of American modernism." She called herself the "Architect of Shadows." Though best known for her sculpture, which is found in important art museums world wide, Nevelson was also successful in other arts including drama, modern dance, voice, poetry, graphics, print making, and painting.

Near the World Trade Center in New York City is an area that is named Louise Nevelson Plaza in honor of this great American Jewish sculptor.

Louise Berliawsky was born in Kiev, Russia on September 23, 1899 to Mina Sadie and Isaac Berliawsky, the second of four children. She and her family came to America in 1905. The Berliawskys settled in Rockland, Maine. There her father ran a lumberyard and was a builder. (As an adult, she often used wood for her medium, usually painting it black.)

Louise had already decided she was interested in being a sculptor by age 9. She remembers an art teacher making her feel good about her artwork when she was in grade school. Louise graduated from Rockland High School in 1918. Later she studied at the Art Students League in New York, as well as in Europe and Mexico. In the 1930's she studied under the direction of Hans Hoffman, In Munich, Germany. She was greatly influenced by African masks and sculptures on display in Paris in 1931.

Louise married Charles Nevelson of New York in 1920, and they moved to New York. In 1922, she gave birth to her only child, Myron, who later became a famous sculptor. Louise and Charles separated in 1931 and divorced in the early 40's.

She continued to lived in New York City for many years after returning from her studies abroad. She was 40 years old before she had her first exhibition, and she was in her 60's before she could support herself financially with her art.

Prior to 1950, Nevelson worked in stone, wood and terra cotta. In the 1950's she became the first artist to use discarded materials to create large-scale works, utilizing scrap wood to create sculptures. This approach made her reputation. She used black, her favorite color, representing neutrality, harmony, and continuity, to develop the play of light and shadow.

She was given Honorary Doctorates of Fine Arts by Western College for Women and Smith College. Her awards included: Grand Prize, Art U.S.A., N.Y., 1959; Logan Prize, Chicago, 1960; Tamarind Fellowship, 1963, 1967; Creative Arts Award in Sculpture, Brandeis University., 1971; American Institute of Architects Award, 1977.

Louise Nevelson was a woman with an independent mind.

Her autobiography, Dawns and Dusks, was published in 1976. In 2000 the United States government issued special Louise Nevelson commemorative stamps, with five varieties, each with a photo of one of her monochrome sculptures.

Louise Nevelson's Rain Garden II is an excellent example of her assemblages usually made out of wood painted black, and consisting of intricate forms often grouped within box-like frames.