Betty Woodman. "Night Window," 2016. 69 1/4 x 79 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. Photo: Bruno Bruchi / George Woodman. "Canova Museum," 2010. 42 x 36 in. Oil paint on gelatin silver print. Photo: Eliza Little.
Betty Woodman. "Night Window," 2016. 69 1/4 x 79 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. Photo: Bruno Bruchi / George Woodman. "Canova Museum," 2010. 42 x 36 in. Oil paint on gelatin silver print. Photo: Eliza Little.
OPENING SATURDAY "Betty Woodman and George Woodman," Charleston, East Sussex, UK, March 25-September 10, 2023
Representing a decades-long dialogue in ceramics and paint, “Betty Woodman and George Woodman” brings together the artists’ vibrant ceramics, vivid abstract paintings, radical assemblages, and photographs, illuminated by archival materials. Focused on the couple’s prolific time at their farmhouse in Antella, Italy—where they lived and worked for part of each year for nearly fifty years—the exhibition explores the artists’ mutual influences and their shared life immersed in art, culture, travel and experimentation, reflected in kindred palettes and patterns.
L to R: All artworks by Betty Woodman. “The Summer House,” 2015. 338 1/2 x 94 1/2 x 12 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. Photo: Bruno Bruchi / Images 2-3: Details of “The Summer House,” 2015 / “Vase Upon Vase: Orfeo,” 2013. 66 1/2 x 23 x 16 1/4 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, and wood. Photo: Brian Forrest / “Cherry Blossom Time,” 2005. 65 x 27 1/2 x 9 3/4 in. Photo: Christopher Burke / Installation view of “Portugal” (2005), The Great Hall, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2006. 34 1/4 x 29 1/2 x 18 in. Photo: Peter Harkawik / “Rose et Noir,” 1989. 21 x 26 x 22 in. Photo: Christopher Burke / Images 5-7: All glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and acrylic paint / Cover of “Frieze," No. 177, March, 2016.
Betty Woodman. “The Summer House,” 2015. 338 1/2 x 94 1/2 x 12 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood.
Betty Woodman interview with Amy Sherlock, "Feel More," "Frieze," No. 177, March 2016: READING ROOM
READING ROOM highlights past essays, reviews and interviews about Betty Woodman, Francesca Woodman, and George Woodman that provided new insights and lenses through which to understand their work. “FEEL MORE: Ahead of her solo exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, Betty Woodman talks to Amy Sherlock about ceramic histories and modern painting.”
L to R: Betty Woodman. "Balustrade Relief Vase 00-5," 2000. 81 x 67 x 8 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / Detail: George Woodman. "Low Balustrade Screen (Garden Balustrade Screen)," 1981 / George Woodman. "Low Balustrade Screen (Garden Balustrade Screen)," 1981 42 x 151 ½ in. Each panel 42 x 30 in. Acrylic paint on canvas.
L to R: Betty Woodman. "Balustrade Relief Vase 00-5," 2000. 81 x 67 x 8 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / Detail: George Woodman. "Low Balustrade Screen (Garden Balustrade Screen)," 1981 42 x 151 ½ in. Each panel 42 x 30 in. Acrylic paint on canvas.
"Betty Woodman and George Woodman" preview in "Financial Times," February 26, 2023
Read Ajesh Patalay's preview of "Betty Woodman and George Woodman" on view now through September 10, 2023 at Charleston, East Sussex, UK.
L to R: Betty Woodman and George Woodman at Betty’s kiln, Antella, Italy, c. 1973. Woodman Family Foundation Archives / Betty Woodman. “Aztec Vase and Carpet: April,” 2016. 38 ½ x 58 x 43 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, and canvas / George Woodman. “Piazza San Francesco di Paola,” 1965. 32 x 32 in. Oil paint on canvas.
Betty Woodman and George Woodman at Betty’s kiln, Antella, Italy, c. 1973. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
UPCOMING EXHIBITION "Betty Woodman and George Woodman," Charleston, Lewes, East Sussex, UK, March 25-September 10, 2023
“Betty Woodman and George Woodman” is the first UK exhibition to show both artists' work together, celebrating the work of ground-breaking American ceramic artist Betty Woodman and the painter and photographer George Woodman.
Betty Woodman, Italy, 1995. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman, Italy, 1995. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Watch a video recording of the event "Amy Sherlock and Judith Tannenbaum on Betty Woodman" moderated by Kyle Dancewicz, SculptureCenter, December 8, 2022
Watch a video recording of the event "Amy Sherlock and Judith Tannenbaum on Betty Woodman" moderated by Kyle Dancewicz which took place on December 8, 2022 at SculptureCenter.
L to R: Images 1-5: Betty Woodman and George Woodman working in Bud and Barbara Shark’s studio, Holualoa, Hawaii, 1996 / Image 6: Betty Woodman and George Woodman in front of lava wall, City of Refuge, Hawaii, 1996 / Images 7–8: Betty Woodman and George Woodman, South Point, Hawaii, 1996. All photos by Barbara Shark, courtesy Woodman Family Foundation Archive.
Betty Woodman working in Bud and Barbara Shark’s studio, Holualoa, Hawaii, 1996. Photo by Barbara Shark.
Betty Woodman and George Woodman at Bud and Barbara Shark's studio, Holualoa, Hawaii, 1996: From the Archives...
In January of 1996, Betty and George Woodman escaped a snowy Colorado winter to join their good friends Bud and Barbara Shark in Holualoa on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Video still from "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s." Produced by David Kordansky Gallery. Studio footage of Betty Woodman excerpted from "Betty Woodman: Thinking Out Loud" (1991), © Charles Woodman. Voiceover excerpted from an interview with John Perreault. Exhibition footage by Sean Hanley. Editing by Destefano DeLuise.
Video still from "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s." Produced by David Kordansky Gallery. Studio footage of Betty Woodman excerpted from "Betty Woodman: Thinking Out Loud" (1991), © Charles Woodman. Voiceover excerpted from an interview with John Perreault. Exhibition footage by Sean Hanley. Editing by Destefano DeLuise.
Video for "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," David Kordansky Gallery, New York, October 29-December 17, 2022
Excerpt from the documentary “Betty Woodman: Thinking Out Loud,” 1991 © Charles Woodman.
Cover of "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," 2023. Image Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery.
Cover of "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," 2023. Image Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery.
"Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s" catalogue published by David Kordansky Gallery
Published in association with Woodman's 2022 exhibition at David Kordansky Gallery New York, this vibrant catalogue includes a new essay by Amy Sherlock, which, together with installation views and details of thirteen works from this formative period, enlarge an understanding of Woodman's process and practice.
L to R: Installation views, "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," David Kordansky Gallery, New York, 2022. All images Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle.
Installation view, "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," David Kordansky Gallery, New York, 2022. Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle.
CLOSING TOMORROW “Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," David Kordansky Gallery, New York, October 29-December 17, 2022
Of this group of works from the 1990s, many not seen for decades, Johanna Fateman wrote in her recent review in The New Yorker: “As with everything on view in this wonderful show, the installation is so gestural and so fluid that it’s easy to forget that the ecstatic whole is composed of brittle parts.”
Installation view, "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," David Kordansky Gallery, New York, 2022. All images Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle.
Installation view, "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," David Kordansky Gallery, New York, 2022. All images Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle.
"Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s" featured in The New Yorker, December 5, 2022
Read a review on "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s" by Johanna Fateman in The New Yorker. The exhibition is currently on view through December 17 at David Kordansky Gallery, New York.
L to R: All artworks by Betty Woodman. “Balustrade Relief Vase 6-94,” 1994. 62 x 47 x 9 in / “Balustrade Relief Vase 97-01,” 1997. 72 x 53 x 8 3/4 in / “Balustrade Relief Vase 96-11,” 1996. 68 1/2 x 74 x 9 in / “Balustrade Relief Vase 96-2,” 1996. 68 x 73 x 10 in / “Balustrade Relief Vase 03-3,” 2003. 48 x 110 x 9 1/2 in / Installation view, "Betty Woodman,” Museo Marino Marini, Florence, Italy, 2015. Woodman Family Foundation Archives / “Of Botticelli,” 2013. 10 1/2 ft x 32 ft x 3/4 in / “Wallpaper 16,” 2017. 112 x 209 x 1 in / "Wallpaper 19,” 2017. 65 x 59 in / “Outside and In,” 2017. 75 1/2 x 120 x 10 1/2 in. Images 1-9: All artworks glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / Image 10: Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, canvas, and wood. Images 1-4: Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle.
Betty Woodman. “Balustrade Relief Vase 6-94,” 1994. 62 x 47 x 9 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint. Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle.
Betty Woodman's "Balustrade Relief Vases," 1990s: "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," David Kordansky Gallery, New York, October 29-December 17, 2022
The Balustrade Relief Vases, which Betty Woodman began making in the 1990s, were a turning point in her work, in which she fully embraced the space and concerns of painting, through sculptural materials.
L to R: All artworks by Betty Woodman. Images 1-2: “January Kimono Vases #2,” 1995. 28 1/2 x 45 x 9 3/4 in / “Untitled Diptych,” c. 1994. 28 1/2 x 51 x 8 1/2 in / “Seashore,” 1998. 25 3/4 x 57 x 8 1/2 in / “Green Nude,” 2007. 33 x 33 3/4 x 6 3/4 in / “After the Bath,” 2011. 35 x 37 x 7 in / Images 7-8: “Fair Welcome and Pleasure,” 2008. 33 x 78 1/4 x 7 1/2 in / Images 9-10: “Kabuki Diptych,” 2016. 35 x 67 x 8 in. All artworks glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint. Images 1-4: Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle.
Betty Woodman. “January Kimono Vases #2,” 1995. 28 1/2 x 45 x 9 3/4 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint. Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Phoebe d'Heurle.
Betty Woodman's "Kimono Vases" and "Diptychs," 1990s: "Betty Woodman: Conversations on the Shore, Works from the 1990s," David Kordansky Gallery, New York, October 29-December 17, 2022
"The evolution of the Kimono Vases began with three-part vases, or triptychs. I thought about the movement from one piece to another; in and out of the negative and positive shapes so that it ultimately became one. The triptychs got bigger and the handles became flat, more abstract and complicated,” Betty Woodman wrote in 1991.