 Frank Ray Hewitt is primarily known as Francis Ray Hewitt
|
|
|
This biography from the Archives of AskART:
| The following, submitted March 2005, is from William Garbus, a student of Francis Hewitt in 1967 and 1968 in a two-dimensional design class at Cooper Union in New York City.
I studied 2 dimensional design at Cooper Union Art School as a freshman with Frank Hewitt from September 1967 to June 1968. He had an enormous influence on my thinking in my formative late teen years as a young artist.
His ideas completely changed my thinking about drawing, painting, color theory, and modern art, of which he had an encyclopedic knowledge. It was in large part because of his influence that led me to switch the focus of my artwork, which changed from expressive figuration to geometric and architectonic, and which eventually led me to the study and practice of architecture.
Frank Hewitt was an extremely dedicated and inspiring teacher to many of my
fellow students and me. He was very approachable on a personal level, contrary to some of the professors who kept their emotional distance from students. It was not uncommon for him to have lunch and/or beer with students at McSorley's pub--- I recall having lively discussions about art and politics there. He encouraged and took a personal interest in students whose work he thought showed promise.
I recall visiting his studio, in Chelsea, which he shared with other members of the Anonima group. I remember being very impressed with the intelligence, the complexity, the commitment and the high level of craftsmanship evident in his paintings and with his to his work. He was a humble man, interested in true esthetic artistic values. He and his colleagues at Anonima were put off by the commercialism of the gallery scene and eschewed any aspiration to the fame, big ego and money, that many artists consider the real measure of a successful art career.
After my first year at Cooper Union I sought Frank's advice on several occasions... In each instance he was very generous with his time and thoughtful in his comments. I feel very fortunate to have known, and to have studied with, Frank Hewitt. He was among the most influential teachers of my entire education. |
| ** If you discover credit omissions or have additional information to add, please let us know at registrar@AskART.com. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|