Woodman Family Foundation News

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Betty

Francesca

George

Still from exhibition video for “Betty Woodman and George Woodman,” Charleston, East Sussex, UK, March 25–September 10, 2023. Exhibition video Charleston Trust. All video interviews Woodman Family Foundation Archives. All artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.

Video interviews from the Woodman Family Foundation archives included in the exhibition video for “Betty Woodman and George Woodman,” Charleston, East Sussex, UK, March 25–September 10, 2023. Exhibition video Charleston Trust. All video interviews Woodman Family Foundation Archives. All artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.

CLOSING SEPTEMBER 10: "Betty Woodman and George Woodman," Charleston, East Sussex, UK, March 25-September 10, 2023

Last chance to see this unique exhibition, the first two-person presentation of Betty Woodman’s and George Woodman’s work in the UK. 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. Catch a glimpse of their Italian studios and home and hear them speak about the importance of Italy to their work in this exhibition video, assembled from interviews in the Woodman Family Foundation archives.

L to R: Detail of Betty Woodman / Betty Woodman, Uxmal, Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s / Betty Woodman and friend, Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s / Pyramid of the Magician, Uxmal, Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s / Pyramid of the Magician, Uxmal, Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s / George Woodman, Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s / Betty Woodman, Hotel Real Toledo by Kavia, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s / George Woodman, Hotel Real Toledo by Kavia, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s / George Woodman, Hotel Real Toledo by Kavia, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Detail of Betty Woodman, Uxmal, Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Yucatán, Mexico, c. 1980s: SUMMER TRAVELS WITH THE WOODMAN FAMILY

The Woodmans’ travels also took them beyond the historical and cultural capitals of Europe. For Betty and George, this included trips to India, China, Japan, Korea, and more than one visit to Mexico—a country where they spent three months on their honeymoon in the summer of 1953. Here they are in the 1980s exploring the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal, home to the Pyramid of the Magician, as well as some of Yucatan’s more recent architectural gems.

Betty Woodman. "Aztec Vase and Carpet: April," 2016. 38 1/2 x 58 x 43 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, and canvas.

"Betty Woodman and George Woodman" featured in "Stories" on Charleston's website

Read Halima Jibril's piece on "Betty Woodman and George Woodman." On view now through September 10, 2023 at Charleston, East Sussex, UK.

L to R: Charles Woodman, George Woodman, and Betty Woodman, Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy, c. 1966 / George Woodman, Florence, Italy, 1966 / Francesca Woodman and Charles Woodman, Fiesole, Italy, c. 1966 / Charles Woodman and Francesca Woodman, Pompeii, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy, 1966 / Charles Woodman and Francesca Woodman, Alhambra, Granada, Spain, c. 1966 / Tile detail Alhambra, Granada, Spain / Detail of George Woodman, ceramic tile installation Delavan-Canisius College Station, NFTA-Metro, Buffalo, NY, 1984 / George Woodman. “A Gentle Tessellation,” 1966-68. 43 1/4 x 43 1/34 in. Acrylic paint on canvas / George Woodman with tile mural commissioned by General Motors and the Detroit Transportation Corporation. Detail of the work in progress on the floor of George's studio, Antella, Italy, 2003. All images Woodman Family Foundation Archives unless otherwise noted. All artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Charles Woodman, George Woodman, and Betty Woodman, Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy, c. 1966. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Family trips to Florence, Fiesole, and Pompeii in Italy, and Granada, Spain. c. 1966: SUMMER TRAVELS WITH THE WOODMAN FAMILY

The Woodmans spent another year together just outside of Florence from 1965-66. Betty had a Fulbright-Hays fellowship and George a faculty fellowship from the University of Colorado, while Charlie and Francesca attended the local public school. Of course they did not miss the opportunity to take breaks for traveling and exploring. Here they are wandering through Florence, nearby Fiesole, Pompeii and onward to Granada, Spain where they visited the Alhambra—one of the best-preserved palaces of Islamic architecture, with walls and floors covered in geometric mosaic tiles.

L to R: Francesca Woodman, 1971 / Pair: Betty Woodman, 1971 / George Woodman, 1971 / Francesca Woodman and friend, 1971 / Betty Woodman and friend, 1966 / Francesca Woodman and Charles Woodman, 1966 / George Woodman, 1966 / View of Acropolis of Athens from boat, Athens, Greece, 1966 / Betty Woodman, Greece, 1971 / Francesca Woodman, Greece, 1971. All images Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece unless otherwise noted. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Francesca Woodman, Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece, 1971. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece, 1971 and 1966: SUMMER TRAVELS WITH THE WOODMAN FAMILY

The Woodman family made at least two trips to Greece together—or more as Francesca later described when discussing her monumental diazotype construction of a temple: "It’s funny how while I was living in Italy the culture there didn’t affect me that much and now I have all this fascination with the architecture etc, Francesca who as a child visited the Acropolis 3 times and always yawned.” The impact and influence of classical ruins, the architecture as well as the female form, can also be seen in both Betty’s and George’s work over many decades.

L to R: 1-2: Betty Woodman with Francesca Woodman and Charles Woodman, passport, 1959 / 3-4: George Woodman, passport, 1959 / 5-6: Betty Woodman with Charles Woodman and Francesca Woodman, passport, 1965 / 7-8: George Woodman, passport, 1965 / 9-10: Betty Woodman with Francesca Woodman, passport, 1970. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Betty Woodman with Francesca Woodman and Charles Woodman, passport, 1959. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

SUMMER TRAVELS WITH THE WOODMAN FAMILY

As everyone heads out on vacation this August, we’re taking a look back at the Woodman family’s travels throughout the years with images from our archives…Throwback to a time when kids had to be on their moms passport! The Woodman family loved to travel and visited Naples, Milan, Florence, Paris, Quebec, London, Granada, New York City, Croatia (then a part of Yugoslavia), Istanbul, and Copenhagen between 1959 to 1974.

L to R: Pair: George Woodman. “Piazza San Francesco di Paola,” 1965. 32 x 32 in. Oil paint on canvas. Photo: John Berens / Betty Woodman. “Aztec Vase and Carpet: April,” 2016. 38 1/2 x 58 x 43 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, and canvas. Photo: Jeff Elstone / Installation view: George Woodman. “Piazza San Francesco di Paola,” 1965 / Betty Woodman. “Aztec Vase and Carpet: April,” 2016 / Betty Woodman. “Wallpaper 19,” 2017 / Pair: Betty Woodman. “Wallpaper 19,” 2017. 65 x 59 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and acrylic paint / George Woodman. Paper Tile Installation, 1982. Dimensions variable / Installation view: Betty Woodman. “Aztec Vase and Carpet: April,” 2016 / Betty Woodman. “Wallpaper 19,” 2017 / George Woodman. Paper Tile Installation, 1982 / Betty Woodman. “My House,” 2014. 80 x 84 x 10 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood / George Woodman. “Pitti, Medea, Roses,” c. 1988. 41 1/4 x 72 in. Gelatin silver print / Betty Woodman. “Santa Barbara,” 2005. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, and canvas / George Woodman. “Cosmati,” 1966. 60 x 60 in. Oil paint on canvas / Installation view: George Woodman, "The Rochester Carpet," 1984, Bevier Gallery, RIT, Rochester, New York / Betty Woodman. “Aztec Vase and Carpet #3,” 2012. 35 x 85 x 43 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, and canvas. All Charleston installation views: "Betty Woodman and George Woodman" at Charleston 2023. © The Charleston Trust; photograph: James Bellorini.

Pair: George Woodman. “Piazza San Francesco di Paola,” 1965. 32 x 32 in. Oil paint on canvas. Photo: John Berens / Betty Woodman. “Aztec Vase and Carpet: April,” 2016. 38 1/2 x 58 x 43 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, and canvas. Photo: Jeff Elstone.

NOW ON VIEW: "Betty Woodman and George Woodman," Charleston, East Sussex, UK, March 25-September 10, 2023

Fragmented frescos glimpsed in Italian churches and Roman ruins, geometry noticed in Cosmati floor mosaics, and patterns seen on tile walls in Spain, Turkey, Morocco, Mexico and Portugal provided decades-worth of ideas for both artists, realized on the floor and on the wall.

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.

"In Talks With" Podcast: Betty and George Woodman at Charleston

Lissa McClure, the Foundation's Executive Director, and Emily Hill, Acting Head of Exhibitions at Charleston, talk about the exhibition "Betty Woodman and George Woodman" on "In Talks With" podcast with journalist Danielle Radojcin.

All artworks by George Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1970. 96 x 134 in. Acrylic paint on canvas / George Woodman with one of his paintings, Boulder, Colorado, c. 1975. Woodman Family Foundation Archive.

George Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1970. 96 x 134 in. Acrylic paint on canvas.

George Woodman now represented by DC Moore Gallery

We’re delighted to share this exciting news from DC Moore Gallery: DC Moore Gallery is pleased to announce representation of George Woodman (1932-2017), a painter and photographer whose career spanned over 60 years, in partnership with the Woodman Family Foundation.

L to R: George Woodman. “Low Balustrade Screen (Garden Balustrade Screen),” 1981. 42 x 151 ½ in. Each panel 42 x 30 in. Acrylic paint on canvas. Photo: John Berens / Betty Woodman. "Balustrade Relief Vase 00-5,” 2000. 81 x 67 x 8 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint. Photo: Jeff Elstone / Installation view: "Betty Woodman and George Woodman" at Charleston 2023. © The Charleston Trust; photograph: James Bellorini / Betty Woodman. “Italian Window #11,” 1984. 54 x 33 x 9 in. Glazed earthenware / George Woodman. “Grey Portal,” 1978. 84 x 84 in. Acrylic paint on canvas / Betty Woodman. “Finestra con Persiane 2,” 2009. 97 1/4 x 84 x 15 3/4 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, and canvas / George Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1990s. 20 x 16 in. Gelatin silver print. Photo: Eliza Little / Betty Woodman. “The Door at the Beach,” 2008. 85 x 95 1/2 x 25 1/4 in. Earthenware, paint, terra sigilatta, and canvas / George Woodman. “Glimpse in my Studio Door,” 2012. 24 x 17 1/4 in. Oil paint on gelatin silver print.

George Woodman. “Low Balustrade Screen (Garden Balustrade Screen),” 1981. 42 x 151 ½ in. Each panel 42 x 30 in. Acrylic paint on canvas. Photo: John Berens.

NOW ON VIEW: "Betty Woodman and George Woodman," Charleston, East Sussex, UK, March 25-September 10, 2023

In the 1980s, George Woodman’s rigorous pattern paintings based in geometric abstraction began to incorporate more representational motifs, including figures, flowers and architectural details. This resulted in a complex layering of forms and colors into foreground and background.

L to R: Installation view: Betty Woodman and George Woodman at Charleston 2023. © The Charleston Trust; photograph: James Bellorini / Betty Woodman. "His and Hers Vases: Looking Back," 2006. 29 1⁄2 x 45 x 13 1⁄2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint. Photo: Jeff Elstone / George Woodman. "Blue Arm and Chinese Maiden," 2012. 24 x 19 1⁄2 in. Oil paint on gelatin silver print. Photo: Eliza Little / Pair: Betty Woodman. “His/Her Vase, Gauguin’s Nude,” 2005. 29 x 58 x 11 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / George Woodman. “Classical De Stijl,” 2007. 16 x 20 in. Oil paint on gelatin silver print. Photo: Eliza Little / George Woodman. “Untitled,” 1987. 20 x 16 in. Gelatin silver print. Photo: Eliza Little / Betty Woodman. “Venus #12,” 2016. 34 1/4 x 16 x 5 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, and cement / George Woodman. “Euridice and Amor,” 1982. 63 x 51 in. Acrylic paint on canvas / Betty Woodman. “Green Nude,” 2007. 33 x 33 3/4 x 6 3/4 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / George Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1992. 41 1/4 x 33 1/2 in. Gelatin silver print.

Installation view: “Betty Woodman and George Woodman” at Charleston 2023. © The Charleston Trust; photograph: James Bellorini.

NOW ON VIEW: "Betty Woodman and George Woodman," Charleston, East Sussex, UK, March 25-September 10, 2023

‍The exhibition at Charleston explores ways that Betty Woodman’s and George Woodman’s shared life and experiences over more than six decades found expression in the works that emerged from each artists’ studio. Art history significantly influenced them both, as can be seen in many of the works on view at Charleston as well as numerous other works in the Foundation’s collection, as shown here.

George and Betty firing the kiln, Antella, Italy, c. 1973. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

"Betty Woodman and George Woodman" featured in "Recessed Space," May 5, 2023

Read Jelena Sofronijevic's feature on Betty Woodman and George Woodman. On view now through September 10, 2023 at Charleston, East Sussex, UK.