Image details: 1. Betty Woodman at work in her studio in Antella, Italy, 1996. Photograph by George Woodman | 2. An assemblage of Betty Woodman’s studio materials. Clockwise from bottom left: Rocket Expansion cement, broken ceramic pieces, measuring cup, sponges, Orton standard pyrometric cones (open box) Orton small pyrometric cones, fork, toothbrush, kitchen knife | 3. George Woodman in his New York City studio c. 1980s | 4. An assemblage of George Woodman’s studio materials. Clockwise from bottom left: Gorton vapor equalizing valve, Bessey vise clamp, Xcemite screw driver, rubber hook tool, Dap silicone, GE silicone, Stanley level, Conair hair dryer, Wiss pliers, Great Neck wood chisel, Maimeri set of paints
Betty Woodman at work in her studio in Antella, Italy, 1996. Photograph by George Woodman. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Tools used by Betty Woodman and George Woodman: FROM THE ARCHIVES
October is American Archives Month and we are celebrating by looking at some of the tools of the trade used by George Woodman and Betty Woodman in our collection.
L to R: 1: Betty Woodman. “Edo Fashion Ladies,” 2006, glazed earthenware, 34 1/2 x 32 1/2 x 7 in. | 2: Page from “Fashion of Edo: Women's Dress in Ukiyo-e Paintings 1989." Japan Institute of Arts and Crafts, 1989 | 3 & 7: Betty Woodman. “After the Bath,” 2011, glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, 35 x 37 1/2 x 8 in. | 4: Pair: Detail from Betty Woodman, “After the Bath” / Ippitsusai Bunchō, “Kagiya Osen,” from “Japanese Prints” by Gabriele Fahr-Becker, Barnes & Noble Inc., 2003 | 5: Detail from Betty Woodman, “After the Bath” | 6: Ishikawa Toyonobu, “After the Bath,” page from “Japanese Prints” by Gabriele Fahr-Becker | 8: Spread from “Edo Chiyogami” by Hirose Tatsugoro, Seigensha, 2002 | 9: “Fashion of Edo: Women's Dress in Ukiyo-e Paintings 1989." Japan Institute of Arts and Crafts, 1989, with torn page | 10: Selected publications on Japanese art from Betty Woodman’s collection All Betty Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Betty Woodman. “Edo Fashion Ladies,” 2006, glazed earthenware, 34 1/2 x 32 1/2 x 7 in. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Betty Woodman’s books on Japanese textiles and woodblock prints
Over the past few months, the Foundation delved into Betty Woodman's and George Woodman’s personal library as part of our ongoing work to build a study center. Betty Woodman’s books on Japanese textiles and woodblock prints, in particular, are extensively bookmarked, with pages cut and ripped away by the artist. She often amassed many of these books on her travels regardless of whether she could read the language, choosing instead to let the images weave themselves into her visual lexicon.
L to R: Pair: “Athens,” 1991 / “Massenet,” ed. 8/8, 2010 | “Athens,” 1991, Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint. 35 1/2 x 68 5/8 x 10 1/4 in. | “Massenet,” ed. 8/8, 2010, Soft-paste porcelain biscuit. © Sèvres - Manufacture et musée nationaux, 2013.D.8587.1 / 20013.D.8587.2. Photographer: Gerard Jonca. All works by Betty Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
New Betty Woodman exhibitions, September 2024
This month, explore two group exhibitions in New York showcasing diverse works by Betty Woodman from the 1990s and 2000s.
L to R: Betty, Charles, and Francesca Woodman in front of the New York World's Fair Unisphere, 1964 / Charles and Francesca Woodman in front of Thailand's pavilion, 1964 / Bird's eye view of the New York World's Fair, 1964. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty, Charles, and Francesca Woodman in front of the New York World's Fair Unisphere, 1964. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodmans at the 1964 New York World's Fair: FROM THE ARCHIVES...
Sixty years ago, before they had traveled much of the world together, the Woodman family visited the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
L to R: “July 1, 2016,” 2016, India ink, 16 ½ x 11 ¾ in. Acrylic paint on sketch paper. / “Karen’s Room,” 2015, 63 x 36 ¼ x 8 ¾ in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, wood. / “Nov 19, 2016,” 2016, 16 ½ x 23 ¼ in. India ink, acrylic paint on sketch paper. / “July Table and Grey Carpet,” 2016, 63 x 94 ½ x 11 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, wood. / “March 9, 2015,” 2015, 14 ¾ x 17 in. India ink, acrylic paint on sketch paper. / “The Dining Room #2,” 2014, 60 x 83 ½ x 10 ½ in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, wood. All works by Betty Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Betty Woodman. “July 1, 2016,” 2016, India ink, 16 ½ x 11 ¾ in. Acrylic paint on sketch paper. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Jennifer DiCocco, The Woodman Family Foundation's Registrar: STAFF PICKS
As the Foundation’s registrar, I have the privilege of managing Betty, George, and Francesca Woodman’s artwork inventories. Though impossible to select a favorite object from such a prolific inventory, one of my favorite groups of works are Betty’s paintings on sketch paper.
Betty Woodman. "Wall Vase," c. 1980s, approx. 25 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 7 in. Glazed earthenware © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Betty Woodman: Images of Function” by Layaan Roufai
We are pleased to share “Betty Woodman: Images of Function” by Layaan Roufai, who was our Library & Archives intern this summer through the Studio Institute Arts Intern program.
L to R: 1-3: Betty Woodman and George Woodman on their wedding day, Cambridge, MA, June 27, 1953 / Wedding announcement, 1953 / 4 & 5: Wedding telegrams from friends and family, June 27, 1953. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman and George Woodman on their wedding day, Cambridge, MA, June 27, 1953. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Happy 71st anniversary to Betty Woodman and George Woodman
Happy 71st anniversary to Betty Woodman and George Woodman, who were married on this day in 1953.
Detail: Betty Woodman walking under torii gates, Japan, 1990 / Pair: Details of Betty Woodman and George Woodman in a traditional ryokan inn, Japan, 1990 / Betty Woodman, Japan, 1990 / George Woodman, Japan, 1990 / George Woodman, Shinto shrine, Japan, 1990 / Hōryū-ji Temple, Nara, Japan, 1990 / Buddhist Guardian statue, Hōryū-ji Temple, Nara, Japan, 1990 / Pillars, Hōryū-ji Temple, Nara, Japan, 1990 / Shave ice stall, Japan, 1990. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Detail: Betty Woodman walking under torii gates, Japan, 1990. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman and George Woodman in Japan, 1990
As the solstice today marks the official beginning of summer, we are reminded of the Woodmans’ extensive travels around the world and their months immersed in global artistic influences.
L to R: Betty Woodman with potted flowers, Antella, Italy, c. 1990s / Betty in her garden in Boulder, Colorado, c. 1960s / Betty putting fresh flowers in a group of her “Vase and Stand” works, 1984. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman with potted flowers, Antella, Italy, c. 1990s. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Happy birthday to Betty Woodman
Happy birthday to Betty Woodman—a garden enthusiast and artist who ingeniously experimented with her lifelong muse, the vase, and its multitude of sculptural possibilities.
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Customs declaration form penned by George Woodman. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Customs declaration form penned by George Woodman. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Across oceans and borders, a customs declaration became a promise: FROM THE ARCHIVES...
Around 1952, a young George Woodman in Cambridge, Massachusetts, penned his devotion on a USPS customs form: “Little box with littler box inside” and “1 engagement ring of Navajo silver with turquoises.” The precious 4-ounce package was destined for the hands of Elizabeth Abrahams (later to be known as Betty Woodman) across the ocean in Fiesole, Italy, where she had been living and working for the past year.
L to R: Images 1-4: Betty Woodman’s brushes / Detail of "Roman Girls," 2008, 35 x 70 x 11 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint / Detail of "History of the Amphora," 2011, 6 ft. x 8 ft. x 1 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint / Detail of “Country House,” 2005, 66 x 32 x 9 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer / Woodman’s glazes / Detail of "Spring Wall Relief," 2009, 60 x 48 x 1 in. Glazed earthenware / Detail of "His and Hers Vases: Ferris Wheel," 2006, 28.5 x 73 x 14.5 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / All works by Betty Woodman. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman’s brushes. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman's glazes, paints, and brushes: FROM THE ARCHIVES...
Betty Woodman’s numerous glazes, paints, and the varied configurations of brushes—sometimes mixed or assembled by the artist herself to achieve desired color swatches, brushy marks, and parallel stripes—reflect her continuously innovative work with ceramic forms.
L to R: All artworks by Betty Woodman. “Green Checks,” 2014. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. 60 1/2 x 43 x 10 1/4 in. Photo: Brian Forrest / “Tuesday Afternoon,” 2016. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, acrylic paint, and canvas. 84 x 38 x 13 in. Photo: Jeff McLane / “From Nina’s Room,” 2016. Acrylic paint, pencil, ink, and collage on paper. 29 x 36 in. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle. All images Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery.
Betty Woodman. “Green Checks,” 2014. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. 60 1/2 x 43 x 10 1/4 in. Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Brian Forrest.
Betty Woodman at The ADAA Art Show
This solo presentation of wall-based works by Woodman focuses on the culminating phase of her 60-year career. The paintings on view--on canvas, ceramic, and paper--illuminate the artist's daring approach to materials and radical explorations of two- and three-dimensional form.