American Abstraction

Nov 21, 2024 - Jan 11, 2025
Installation Views
Press Release
ACA Galleries is pleased to present an exhibition investigating the arc of American Abstraction from the 1930s to the 1980s. Opening November 21, this exhibition features a selection of paintings and works on paper by prominent artists associated with the New York School of Abstract Expressionists and the American Abstract Artists.
 
Founded in 1936, the American Abstract Artists (AAA) was a predecessor to Abstract Expressionism and contributed to the broader development and acceptance of abstract art in the United States. American Abstraction will feature rarely exhibited and lesser-known works by artists including Norman Bluhm, Ilya Bolotowsky, Sam Francis, Helen Frankenthaler, Balcomb Greene, Grace Hartigan, Hans Hofmann, Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning, Norman Lewis, Jackson Pollock, Jean Paul Riopelle, Rolph Scarlett, Jon Schueler, and Theodoros Stamos.
 
The gallery’s pioneering interest in progressive American art was established early on in exhibitions featuring—often for the very first time—the work of Rockwell Kent, Alice Neel, Barnett Newman, Irene Rice Pereira, David Smith, and Charles White, among many others. In 1935, ACA hosted the inaugural meetings of the American Artists’ Congress (AAC), the influential precursor to the Federal Art Project (FAP) and Works Project Administration (WPA), federal programs that aided American artists and funded public art projects throughout the depression. In the 1960s, ACA Galleries established its first foreign branch in Rome, and the ACA Heritage Gallery in Los Angeles and New York City, signaling a vital foray into 19th and early 20th century American and European art.
 
Artworks
  • Helen Frankenthaler New York X, 1972-1974 Acrylic on paper 17 1/2 x 19 1/2 in 44.5 x 49.5 cm
    Helen Frankenthaler
    New York X, 1972-1974
    Acrylic on paper
    17 1/2 x 19 1/2 in
    44.5 x 49.5 cm
  • Jean Paul Riopelle Untitled, 1948 Watercolor on paper 7 3/4 x 9 5/8 in 19.5 x 24.4 cm
    Jean Paul Riopelle
    Untitled, 1948
    Watercolor on paper
    7 3/4 x 9 5/8 in
    19.5 x 24.4 cm
  • Jean Paul Riopelle Untitled, 1955 Watercolor on paper 7 x 11 1/2 in 17.8 x 29.2 cm
    Jean Paul Riopelle
    Untitled, 1955
    Watercolor on paper
    7 x 11 1/2 in
    17.8 x 29.2 cm
  • Jean Paul Riopelle Untitled, 1951 Watercolor on paper 7 x 10 1/4 in 17.8 x 26 cm
    Jean Paul Riopelle
    Untitled, 1951
    Watercolor on paper
    7 x 10 1/4 in
    17.8 x 26 cm
  • Jon Schueler The Minch from Reiff, 1966 Oil on canvas 68 x 79 in 172.72 x 200.66 cm
    Jon Schueler
    The Minch from Reiff, 1966
    Oil on canvas
    68 x 79 in
    172.72 x 200.66 cm
  • Theodoros Stamos Untitled (Columns of Fire), 1956 Oil on canvas 48 x 32 in 121.92 x 81.28 cm
    Theodoros Stamos
    Untitled (Columns of Fire), 1956
    Oil on canvas
    48 x 32 in
    121.92 x 81.28 cm
  • Grace Hartigan Untitled, 1949 Mixed media on paper 25 3/4 x 20 1/4 in 65.41 x 51.44 cm
    Grace Hartigan
    Untitled, 1949
    Mixed media on paper
    25 3/4 x 20 1/4 in
    65.41 x 51.44 cm
  • Willem de Kooning Untitled, ca. 1983 Oil on paper 23 x 30 in 58.4 x 76.2 cm
    Willem de Kooning
    Untitled, ca. 1983
    Oil on paper
    23 x 30 in
    58.4 x 76.2 cm
  • Franz Kline Untitled, 1950 Ink on paper 21 x 18 in 53.3 x 45.7 cm
    Franz Kline
    Untitled, 1950
    Ink on paper
    21 x 18 in
    53.3 x 45.7 cm
  • Norman Bluhm Untitled, 1989 mixed media on paper 22 x 30 in 55.9 x 76.2 cm
    Norman Bluhm
    Untitled, 1989
    mixed media on paper
    22 x 30 in
    55.9 x 76.2 cm
  • Willem de Kooning Untitled, 1970s Oil on Vellum 42 x 26 1/2 in 106.7 x 67.3 cm
    Willem de Kooning
    Untitled, 1970s
    Oil on Vellum
    42 x 26 1/2 in
    106.7 x 67.3 cm
  • Ilya Bolotowsky White Diamond with Six Black Lines (IB773), 1970 Oil on linen 44 x 44 in 111.76 x 111.76 cm
    Ilya Bolotowsky
    White Diamond with Six Black Lines (IB773), 1970
    Oil on linen
    44 x 44 in
    111.76 x 111.76 cm
  • Balcomb Greene Composition, 1937 Oil on canvas 20 x 30 in 50.8 x 76.2 cm
    Balcomb Greene
    Composition, 1937
    Oil on canvas
    20 x 30 in
    50.8 x 76.2 cm
  • Ilya Bolotowsky Untitled (IB 595), 1956-57 Oil on linen 43 1/2 x 43 1/2 in 110.49 x 110.49 cm
    Ilya Bolotowsky
    Untitled (IB 595), 1956-57
    Oil on linen
    43 1/2 x 43 1/2 in
    110.49 x 110.49 cm
  • Balcomb Greene Abstraction II, 1936-65 Oil on canvas 24 x 36 in 61.0 x 91.4 cm
    Balcomb Greene
    Abstraction II, 1936-65
    Oil on canvas
    24 x 36 in
    61.0 x 91.4 cm