Harold Shapinsky
Encyclopedia
Harold Shapinsky was an American abstract expressionist painter
, born in Brooklyn
, New York
.
Both David and Alice were born in eastern Europe and came to the United States in the early part of the century. They had four sons; Aaron (December 8, 1919–March 1984), Murray (d. February 1970), Harold, and Buck. Young Harold was a gifted artist. Unfortunately, the family endured a bitter divorce, and afterwards his mother married Alex Matos, originally from Puerto Rico. Neither his mother nor his stepfather supported the young Harold's aspirations.
While Harold Shapinsky ultimately found some encouragement from a circle of artists that would be known as the "New York School
" of abstract expressionism
, and became an associate of Jackson Pollock
.
by their families. They had one child, David Frazier Shapinsky, born 1961.
, a writer at The New Yorker
, and helped organize Shapinsky's first one-man show, at London's Mayor Gallery.
As a result Shapinsky became a 'revived artist' as an abstract impressionist. He spent the next 15 years in relative comfort from some resulting sales. To date, Shapinsky's works have garnered international renown; some reside at the Tate
, presented anonymously by the Mayor Gallery.
. His wife then moved to Friendship Terrace, a retirement community in Washington, D.C. By this time, the couple had no resources to speak of, despite his past fame, and their care cost was largely met by their son.
Shapinsky died at the age of 78 on January 31, 2004. His wife died the following year on January 22. Both are buried together at the Garden of Remembrance Cemetery in Maryland.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, born in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Family
His father was David Shapinsky (born circa 1896), a "cutter" in the garment trades. His mother Alice Wolfe Shapinsky (born circa 1902) was very young when they met in the subway, according to some family stories.Both David and Alice were born in eastern Europe and came to the United States in the early part of the century. They had four sons; Aaron (December 8, 1919–March 1984), Murray (d. February 1970), Harold, and Buck. Young Harold was a gifted artist. Unfortunately, the family endured a bitter divorce, and afterwards his mother married Alex Matos, originally from Puerto Rico. Neither his mother nor his stepfather supported the young Harold's aspirations.
Early life
He struggled very much on his own, occasionally assisted by his brothers. He had several breakdowns along the way. In one instance, he was not eating properly and had no money, became sick and was thrown out of his apartment. His paintings were thrown into the street. Some were rescued by his brother Aaron. Some of his early work was destroyed by his parents or painted over by his stepfather.While Harold Shapinsky ultimately found some encouragement from a circle of artists that would be known as the "New York School
New York School
The New York School was an informal group of American poets, painters, dancers, and musicians active in the 1950s, 1960s in New York City...
" of abstract expressionism
Abstract expressionism
Abstract expressionism was an American post–World War II art movement. It was the first specifically American movement to achieve worldwide influence and put New York City at the center of the western art world, a role formerly filled by Paris...
, and became an associate of Jackson Pollock
Jackson Pollock
Paul Jackson Pollock , known as Jackson Pollock, was an influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement. During his lifetime, Pollock enjoyed considerable fame and notoriety. He was regarded as a mostly reclusive artist. He had a volatile personality, and...
.
Marriage
Shapinsky met and married modern dancer Katherine "Kate" Peters (March 16, 1920–January 22, 2005), the daughter of Frazier Forman and Katherine Harrower Peters. The two were both considered black sheepBlack sheep
In the English language, black sheep is an idiom used to describe an odd or disreputable member of a group, especially within a family. The term has typically been given negative implications, implying waywardness...
by their families. They had one child, David Frazier Shapinsky, born 1961.
Fame
In 1985, an Indian professor of English, Akumal Ramachander, met Harold's son in Chicago purely by circumstance. The son, David, uncharacteristically showed Akumal slides of Harold's work. Ramachander decided to promote the artist claiming that exposing Shapinsky to the world stage was part of his personal destiny. He contacted Lawrence WeschlerLawrence Weschler
Lawrence Weschler is an author of works of creative nonfiction.A graduate of Cowell College of the University of California, Santa Cruz , Weschler was for over twenty years a staff writer at The New Yorker, where his work shuttled between political tragedies and cultural comedies...
, a writer at The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, and helped organize Shapinsky's first one-man show, at London's Mayor Gallery.
As a result Shapinsky became a 'revived artist' as an abstract impressionist. He spent the next 15 years in relative comfort from some resulting sales. To date, Shapinsky's works have garnered international renown; some reside at the Tate
Tate
-Places:*Tate, Georgia, a town in the United States*Tate County, Mississippi, a county in the United States*Táté, the Hungarian name for Totoi village, Sântimbru Commune, Alba County, Romania*Tate, Filipino word for States...
, presented anonymously by the Mayor Gallery.
Last years
In 2001, when his wife could no longer care for him, as he was suffering from Alzheimer's dementia along with blindness, he was moved to Collingswood Nursing Home near Rockville, MarylandRockville, Maryland
Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a major incorporated city in the central part of Montgomery County and forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The 2010 U.S...
. His wife then moved to Friendship Terrace, a retirement community in Washington, D.C. By this time, the couple had no resources to speak of, despite his past fame, and their care cost was largely met by their son.
Shapinsky died at the age of 78 on January 31, 2004. His wife died the following year on January 22. Both are buried together at the Garden of Remembrance Cemetery in Maryland.