Who is Ben Shahn?
Ben Shahn was a Lithuanian-born American artist. He is best known for his works of social realism, his left-wing political views, and his series of lectures published as The Shape of Content. In this well-known book LINK Shahn talks of the creation of the work of art, the importance of the community, the problem of communication, and the critical theories governing the artist and his audience. Althought their art work is very different, both Shahn and El Anatsui share an interest in the social and community aspects of artmaking and viewing.
Where was Ben Shahn born?
Ben Shahn (September 12, 1898 – March 14, 1969) was born in Lithuania and immigrated to the United State in 1906. He then lived and worked in the US. The William Paterson art galleries are named after Ben Shahn as the building was constructed in the same year that Shahn died. LINK From the WPU website: "His (Ben Shahn's) legacy as the leading artist of social protest within American Art of the 20th century remains undisputed."
What does his artwork look like?
Some of Ben Shahn's works can be seen below. He did many drawings, lithographs, woodcuts, and other forms of printmaking as well as painted murals. His engagement in social and political issues of his time are obvious with hiw work on Martin Luther King (top) and the Sacco and Venzetti trial (bottom).
What is the connection between Ben Shahn and Don Bosco Technical Academy?
On December 3, 2019 a feild trip to the Ben Shahn Galleries is planned for some of the students at Don Bosco to see this exhibition:
Ben Shahn was a Lithuanian-born American artist. He is best known for his works of social realism, his left-wing political views, and his series of lectures published as The Shape of Content. In this well-known book LINK Shahn talks of the creation of the work of art, the importance of the community, the problem of communication, and the critical theories governing the artist and his audience. Althought their art work is very different, both Shahn and El Anatsui share an interest in the social and community aspects of artmaking and viewing.
Where was Ben Shahn born?
Ben Shahn (September 12, 1898 – March 14, 1969) was born in Lithuania and immigrated to the United State in 1906. He then lived and worked in the US. The William Paterson art galleries are named after Ben Shahn as the building was constructed in the same year that Shahn died. LINK From the WPU website: "His (Ben Shahn's) legacy as the leading artist of social protest within American Art of the 20th century remains undisputed."
What does his artwork look like?
Some of Ben Shahn's works can be seen below. He did many drawings, lithographs, woodcuts, and other forms of printmaking as well as painted murals. His engagement in social and political issues of his time are obvious with hiw work on Martin Luther King (top) and the Sacco and Venzetti trial (bottom).
On December 3, 2019 a feild trip to the Ben Shahn Galleries is planned for some of the students at Don Bosco to see this exhibition:
The World Through My Eyes: Celebrating the Legacy of Ben Shahn
September 9 – December 11, 2019
South Gallery
"In celebration of the University Galleries’ 40th anniversary, this exhibition commemorates Ben Shahn (1898-1969), who was perhaps the most important social-realist artist to have emerged in the early 1930s in the United States. Shahn is the namesake for our building, the Ben Shahn Center for the Visual Arts, and this exhibit will showcase works from WP’s art collection as well as loans from the public and private collections. This exhibition is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts." LINK
This field trip will include a trip to the galleries, a hands-on activity after the gallery tour, and on-going discussions with the curatorial staff. Teachers who accompany their students on this trip will follow-up with an arts integration lesson back at Don Bosco.
