Radical Women: Helen Frankenthaler

Let ’er Rip

The innovative painter on how she broke the mold

Helen Frankenthaler

Let ’er Rip

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Frankenthaler sits on a blue abstract canvas. There are large-scale, abstract canvases all around her, on the floor and walls.

Untitled, New York, New York, 1957, Gordon Parks. Courtesy of and copyright the Gordon Parks Foundation

By Helen Molesworth

Nov 12, 2019 36:23 min

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This episode focuses on Helen Frankenthaler (1928–2011).

Joining host Helen Molesworth are artist Rodney McMillian and art historian Alexander Nemerov. Frankenthaler made large abstract paintings by pouring thinned paint directly onto the horizontal canvas. In interviews from 1969 and 1971, she discusses the inspiration for this radical innovation as well as other early influences.

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