Remembering Barbara Rose
THE EYE OF AN ART CRITIC by Rachel Vancelette
In Memoriam: Barbara Rose (1936-2020), an influential art historian and critic influenced generations with championing avant-garde 20th century art. The one-on-one interview of Ms. Rose took place with Rachel Vancelette, Art, Culture & Fashion Editor At Large in June 2019 in New York City. This personal insider interview with Ms. Rose is noted as one of the last personal interviews she offered to the public discussing her life, influences and her important impact on generations of contemporary artists, curators, art historians and art collections. 102
Metropolitan Magazine | 25AMagazine.com
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rt Critic and Historian Barbara Rose began writing art criticism in the 1960s, where she mingled in the New York art scene with greats such as Richard Tuttle, Andy Warhol, Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, Al Held, Lee Krasner, Beverly Pepper, Claes Oldenberg and Frank Stella to name few. A former contributing editor to Art In America from 1965 to 1971, Rose’s critical writings have made a profound impact on generations of art aficionados. Publications such as ArtForum, New York Magazine, Vogue, Partisan Review and multiple international periodicals and newspapers globally have memorialized, archived and republished many of her writings recently. Rose is currently focused on finishing her memoirs with many followers and fans anticipating the release. She wrote her first contemporary art book, America since 1900, A Critical History, which was distributed and used by colleges nationwide. Rose’s keen eye and great foresight to dive into new concepts over the decades in contemporary art put her at the forefront of experiments dealing with art and technology back in 1972, before the age of the internet. Her first love is to continue to dedicate her work towards curating exhibitions, executing catalogues and essays for her close artists’ friends. During her long career, she has curated countless exhibitions, essays and films earning her distinguished awards such as the prestigious College Art Association Award plus many more. Rose made the decision recently to donate many of her papers to the Getty, a selection of research on post-war and contemporary American artists from 1960-1985. This selection includes sound recordings and personal interviews with artists conducted over coffees, during studio visits and from meetings with some of the most famous artists to date. Rose’s critical voice has impacted generations of artists, critics, and curators with writings which are known as both polarizing and innovative, controversial and revered. She executes her writing daily with a powerful voice and self-driven spirit. With her unique eye, Rose forges ahead to always find a new path which will push the art conversation forward. Dedicated to tackling the rarified art world with personal force, Rose’s interviews capture rare insider views from her platform as an art critic, historian and curator. Continuing to always surround herself with trusted artist friends, she weaves the story-telling and history of those who have been around her into deeply insightful and concrete art history for generations to explore. Sitting with this repository of art knowledge provides one with a rare window into the world of Barbara Rose sharing her immediate thoughts on life, art and more.
