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Hammer Museum Displays Early Paintings Of Sculptor Eva Hesse

Jessica Zech |
October 16, 2010 | 6:40 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Photo courtesy of the Hammer Museum
Photo courtesy of the Hammer Museum
Nineteen rarely seen Eva Hesse paintings will be on display in a small gallery of UCLA’s Hammer Museum until Jan. 2. 

The “Eva Hesse Spectres 1960” exhibition includes paintings Hesse created when she was 24 years old, which contrast her later, more well-known work. Later in her career, Hesse constructed minimalist structures and sculptural groupings made out of the unique media fiberglass, latex and plastic.

The spectres paintings are abstract but depict human-looking figures. 

Hesse’s muted colors give the pieces a sad and scary feeling, making the figures feel ghostly.

It is easier for the viewer to connect to the paintings' emotions because the figures are not realistic. The figure does not have an identity, so the viewer is free to identify it in a way that fosters a deep, personal connection between the painting and the viewer.    

A large painting, which is untitled, has two gray bodies pushed to opposite boundaries of the canvas. The piece should feel cold and isolating, but the sweeping brush strokes fill the painting with movement and emotion.     

Hesse’s work seems to express the emotional distress she experienced for most of her life — she fled the Nazis, her mother committed suicide, her parents divorced and her marriage failed.

Hesse studied at Cooper Union and Yale, and lived in New York until she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and died in 1970.

Although small, this exhibition provides an escape from reality and a chance to stop, contemplate and feel. The Hammer is an oasis in an otherwise chaotic city and one should take the opportunity to see this impressive Hesse collection.

The Hammer is free to students with a student ID, and all visitors on Thursdays. It is open Tuesday through Sunday.

To reach staff reporter Jessica Zech click here



 

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