Eva Hesse: Sculpture, Organized by the Jewish Museum and Presented from May 12 to September 17, 2006

by Elisabeth Sussman, Fred Wasserman

The work of Eva Hesse (1936–1970), one of the greatest American artists of the 1960s, continues to inspire and to endure in large part because of its deeply emotional and evocative qualities. Her latex and fiberglass sculptures in particular have a resonance that transcends the boundaries of minimalist art in which she had her roots. Hesse’s breakthrough solo exhibition—Chain Polymers at the Fischbach Gallery in New York in 1968—was a turning point in postwar American art.

Eva Hesse: Sculpture focuses on the artist’s large-scale sculptures in latex and fiberglass and provides a rare opportunity to look at Hesse’s artistic achievement within the historical context of her life in never-before-seen family diaries and photographs. Essays consider Hesse’s art from a variety of angles: Elisabeth Sussman discusses the sculptures shown in the 1968 solo exhibition; Fred Wasserman delves into the Hesse family’s life in Nazi Germany and in the German Jewish community in New York in the 1940s; Yve-Alain Bois examines Hesse’s works within the context of the art and aesthetic theories of the 1960s; and Mark Godfrey analyzes the importance of Hesse’s celebrated hanging sculptures of 1969–70. In addition to color reproductions of the artist’s sculpture, the book features a copiously illustrated chronology of the artist’s life.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 11, 2002

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book is worth the price alone for the concluding biographical essay on hesse. this essay is centered around the diaries that her father kept for her, and the [probable] impact of her tragic family history -- the kindertransport to holland, immigrating to the us, her mother's mental breakdown and suicide -- on her art. heartbreaking.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the unsettling familiar/yet slightly off essence of her work. My favorite is the fiberglass and resin with plastic tubing boxes (Accession II and Accession III)--the softness and hardness, the ordinary and sensual.

[Ellen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I'm cheating when I put art books in the "read" category, since I read very little of the text and mostly just study the photos of the art. I was really crazy about her hanging sculpture and also enjoyed seeing other artists who may have been influenced by it. It was inspirational, but sad that she died so young. I wish I knew more people around here who know about art like this to give me pointers and encouragement. I showed the book to family members to convince them that these pieces are indeed art.

[pippi]

honestly, eva hesse is really amazing. really really amazing.