This extraordinary ART IN THE ARTHOUSE exhibit uncovers the work of BEA HUSMAN (1915-2011), an iconoclast who translated her world travels into inspired artworks in a variety of media. Rarely exhibited during her lifetime, Husman produced art for the sheer pleasure of it, resulting in a legacy unsullied by the marketplace and a body of work that exudes joy and lyricism.
Originally from NY, young Bea Wagman was introduced to fabrics by her mother, who worked in the Garment District. She learned how to sew and began making her own clothes. With funds scarce, she literally had to appropriate curtains for her first garments.
In her youth, Bea's family moved to Chicago, were she eventually studied pattern making. In short time, she became a full-fledged fashion designer and earned enough money to allow her family to weather the Great Depression. Then, upon meeting her future husband, Tom Husman, she gave up her career and moved to Los Angeles in 1948 to start a family.
Her career may have been on hold, but Husman's fascination with textiles and clothing design was never-ending. When this interest coincided with periodic expeditions, she became a collector of clothes, textiles, and art from places such as China, Japan, India, Guatemala, and Africa. Her passion for exploring remote cultures, which took considerably more initiative in her day, permeated her creative life.
In 1956, the family moved to Encino, CA where Husman collaborated in the design of their San Fernando Valley home. Not long after, she began taking painting classes. Working in oils, she found inspiration in modern painters such as Diebenkorn, Rothko, Franz Kline, Helen Frankenthaler, Rauschenberg, and Klimt.
Husman continually expanded her skills. She discovered the Intaglio process in the early 1970s and soon a printing press and metal plates for etching and engraving became part of her studio, alongside large easel, oil, and acrylic paints. In turn, this led to an interest in paper-making, and, circa 1980, Husman made her way to Kyoto, Japan for a paper-making class with DAVID HOCKNEY. Upon her return, she began utilizing both paper and print making disciplines to create breathtaking collage pieces that incorporated fabrics, string, torn sections of prints, found objects, and coarse, handmade papers.
Husman formed a deep connection with her mentor, artist and legendary art teacher, FRANKLYN LIEGEL. A fixture in the L.A. scene, Legal once said, "I consider process for its own sake... If anything, I am more passionate about an endless pursuit of fragmentation." Liegel's love of literature, music and architecture paralleled Husman's own and clearly transferred to her art. The two maintained a lifelong friendship and correspondence.
She worked for many years with other artists in Venice, CA at the St. Jive's by the Sea Workshop in a converted church owned by her friend and noted jeweler, ANNETTE BIRD. In addition, she joined many women's art groups. As she matured as an artist, Husman exhibited an uncanny ability to weave together her myriad influences to create works of increasing sophistication. Her journey ended Sept. 2011 at the age of 96. True to form, Husman pursued her passions to the very end, including a love for the game of golf that saw her entering tournaments well into her '90s.
Show curator Joshua Elias remarks, "Her interests were diverse, including knitting machines, textile creation, fashion design, etchings, printmaking, paper making, the sculptural aesthetic of her mentor, and a love for travel and remote cultures. All this and more informed her art and life. What's more, an intuitive and coherent body of work emerged, indicating a rare artistic intelligence at work."
Theatre owner and Art in the Arthouse founder Greg Laemmle concludes, "Bea made art for herself and the enjoyment of family and friends. But, grievously, she was not publicly recognized in her lifetime. Thankfully, we now have the opportunity to be charmed, engaged, and moved by a life and artistic journey well-lived."
"Bea Husman: Beatifica" opens at the NoHo 7 Wednesday, Feb. 26 with a reception from 6-9pm. To RSVP for the opening visit http://www.Laemmle.com/Bea OR our Facebook Event page - https://www.facebook.com/events/649265541797298
It runs through May 30, and is open to all movie-goers during regular hours of theatre operations. Non-ticket holders may view the exhibit by using Art in the Arthouse's reservation system. For more details, visit www.Laemmle.com/Art.
