Nadine M. DeLawrence (July 8, 1953 – November 22, 1992) was an American visual artist and educator. She worked as a sculptor, installation artist, painter, and printmaker.[1] Her artwork was influenced by her interest in African religions and she created large scale installations out of sculptures made in aluminum and steel.[2] She also went by the married name Nadine DeLawrence Maine.[3]

Nadine M. DeLawrence
BornJuly 8, 1953
DiedNovember 22, 1992
Other namesNadine Delawrence, Nadine DeLawrence Maine, Nadine DeLawrence–Maine
EducationRhode Island School of Design
Occupation(s)Sculptor, installation artist, painter, printmaker
SpouseRichard Maine (1982–1992; death)

Early life and education

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Nadine M. DeLawrence was born on July 8, 1953, in Hartford, Connecticut, to African-American parents Ruth (née Atkins) DeLawrence and Joseph J. DeLawrence Jr..[2] In 1971, she graduated from Weaver High School in Hartford, Connecticut, where she was a merit scholar.[4] In high school she was part of Katarah, an African American cultural society.[5]

DeLawrence graduated from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and was part of the European honors program in 1974 to 1975.[2][6][7] In the March 8, 1974, student newspaper, RISD Press, DeLawrence wrote a letter to the university president about on-campus racism.[8]

Career

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After graduation moved back to Hartford, Connecticut to work at SAND Art Studio as a director, before moving to New York City in 1981 to work at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum "Learning Through Art" education program for public school children.[5][9] While living in New York City, she continued her studies under in printmaking with Robert Blackburn at his Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop.[10] She was able to meet Bill Barrett while working at Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, who gave her valuable critique of her sculpture work and helped her grow as an artist.[10] DeLawrence was influenced by African religions and African culture in her work.[2]

In 1982, DeLawrence married Richard "Dick" Maine, a business investor.[11][12]

Her artwork was exhibited internationally, including at the National Gallery of Botswana, and the French Embassy (1991) in New York City.[2][13][14] She also exhibited nationally at Trinity College (1996),[5] the Studio Museum in Harlem (1986),[15] MoMA PS1 (1986),[16] Miami-Dade Community College (1989),[17] and the Fairleigh Dickinson University (1989).[18]

Death and legacy

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She died on November 22, 1992, at the age of 39 of cancer in New York City, New York.[2][5]

Her work is part of permanent museum collections, including the New Jersey State Museum,[19] the Brooklyn Museum,[20] Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University,[21] and Studio Museum in Harlem.

References

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  1. ^ "Nadine DeLawrence". Clara: Database of Women Artists. Archived from the original on 2018-11-14.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Nadine M. Delawrence, 39; Artist Exhibited Internationally". Hartford Courant. 1992-11-28. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  3. ^ "Nadine DeLawrence Maine". The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  4. ^ "African Themes Permeate Artist's Works". Hartford Courant. 1996-01-31. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  5. ^ a b c d "African permeates artist's work". Hartford Courant. 1996-01-31. p. 38. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  6. ^ "4 Artists Help Inaugurate YWCA's New Art Gallery". Hartford Courant. 1978-02-08. p. 21. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  7. ^ "On European Program". Hartford Courant. 1974-07-24. p. 28. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  8. ^ "Letters". RISD Press. March 8, 1974. p. 2.
  9. ^ "SAND Artists Exhibit". Hartford Courant. 1979-07-01. p. 135. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  10. ^ a b Kennedy, Shawn G. (1986-06-18). "For Fledgling Artists, A Place To Grow". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  11. ^ Middlebury College Magazine. Middlebury College. 1985. p. 9.
  12. ^ "Nadine M Delawrence: Vital, Connecticut Marriage Index, 1959-2001". FamilySearch. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 8 May 1982.
  13. ^ Four African American Women Artists at the French Embassy. Deborah Willis (curator), Deirdre Bibby (curator). Washington, D.C.: French Embassy. 1991.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  14. ^ "Making Cultural Links". Newsday. 1991-11-27. p. 32. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  15. ^ From the Studio: Artists in Residence 1985–1986. Studio Museum in Harlem. 1986.
  16. ^ "Progressions: A Cultural Legacy". The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  17. ^ Painting in 3-Dimensions: Nadine DeLawrence–Maine. Miami, FL: Frances Wolfson Art Center, Miami-Dade Community College. 1989.
  18. ^ Nadine DeLawrence. Teaneck, N.J.: Edward Williams Gallery, Fairleigh Dickinson University. 1989.
  19. ^ Weld, Alison (1998). Art by African Americans in the Collection of the New Jersey State Museum. Trenton, NJ: New Jersey State Museum.
  20. ^ "A-Pik: Nadine Delawrence Maine". Brooklyn Museum. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  21. ^ "Collective Yearning: Black Women Artists from the Zimmerli Art Museum". The Center for Women in the Arts and Humanities, Rutgers University. Retrieved 2023-06-12.