A Finding Aid to the Roy De Forest papers, , bulk in the Archives of American Art

Transcription

1 A Finding Aid to the Roy De Forest papers, , bulk in the Archives of American Art Rayna Andrews Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by Gerald and Bente Buck. 2018/03/27 Archives of American Art 750 9th Street, NW Victor Building, Suite 2200 Washington, D.C

2 Table of Contents Collection Overview... 1 Administrative Information... 1 Arrangement... 3 Biographical / Historical... 2 Scope and Contents... 2 Names and Subjects... 3 Container Listing... 5 Series 1: Biographical Material, 1930, , Series 2: Correspondence, circa Series 3: Writings, , undated... 8 Series 4: Professional Records, Series 5: Financial Records, Series 6: Printed Material, , Series 7: Photographic Material, 1926, circa , Series 8: Artwork, circa , undated Series 9: Digital Audio and Video Recordings, , , Series 10: Artifacts, , undated... 19

3 Collection Overview Repository: Title: Identifier: Archives of American Art Date: (bulk ) Extent: 9.9 linear feet Creator: De Forest, Roy, Language: Summary: English The papers of artist Roy De Forest measure 9.9 linear feet and date from 1916 to 2015, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1948 to The collection includes biographical material, correspondence, writings, professional records, printed material, photographic material, artwork, digital audio and video recordings, and artifacts. Administrative Information Acquisition Information The were donated in several installments from 1974 to Some materials were loaned for microfilming in 1974 and subsequently donated in 1977 and 1979 by Roy De Forest. Additional materials were donated in 2009 and 2016 by Gloria Marchant, Roy De Forest's widow. Related Materials Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Roy De Forest conducted by Lynn Robert Matteson, April 7-June 30, Available Formats Parts of this collection, including the material related to the unpublished book of memories, The Roy De Forest Papers from Dilexi Gallery, as well as some correspondence and notes, are available on microfilm reels 700 and The microfilm is available for interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of material described in this finding aid does not reflect the order of the material on microfilm. Processing Information The collection was minimally processed and a finding aid prepared by Rayna Andrews in Page 1 of 19

4 Preferred Citation, , bulk Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Restrictions Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Use of archival audiovisual recordings and born-digital records with no duplicate copies requires advance notice. Biographical / Historical Roy De Forest ( ) was a painter, sculptor, and educator in Port Costa, California. A notable figure in the funk art movement, he coined the term "nut art" to describe art that embraced humor and created a fantasy world. Born in North Platte, Nebraska, Roy De Forest grew up in Yakima, Washington where he attended Yakima Junior College. He went on to study at the California School of Fine Arts (now San Francisco Art Institute) and San Francisco State College (now San Francisco State University). He taught at Yakima Junior College for two years after graduating from San Francisco State College, and later taught at the University of California, Davis from 1965 until his retirement as professor emeritus in De Forest's first solo exhibition was in 1955 at the East & West Gallery in San Francisco. From then until his death in 2007, he exhibited frequently, especially at the Allan Frumkin Gallery in New York and the Hansen Fuller Gallery in San Francisco. Scope and Contents The papers of artist Roy De Forest measure 9.9 linear feet and date from 1916 to 2015, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1948 to The collection includes biographical material, correspondence, writings, professional records, printed material, photographic material, artwork, digital audio and video, and artifacts. Biographical material includes early school materials, resumes, a recording of an interview, membership materials, identification documents, certificates and awards, and family history and genealogy material. Also included in this series are obituaries, letters of condolence, and materials, including born-digital photographs and recordings, related to memorial services celebrating De Forest's life and work. Correspondence includes letters and postcards to and from family, friends, colleagues, and arts institutions. This series also includes three folders of greeting cards. The writings series contains essays, lectures, exhibition texts, notes, and other materials written by Roy De Forest, including an essay, The Vision of Paolo Uccello, and his famous "dog lecture." Also included are writings by others, such as a Master's thesis by Audrey T. Strohl entitled A Biography of Roy De Forest: His Relationship to the Art Movements in the Bay Area of California, essays by Bruce Nixon, and poetry and an essay by David Zack. Professional records include materials related to a book of memories (never published) organized by Dilexi Gallery and the Loujon Press, exhibition planning documents, an exhibition recording, materials related to the James Talcott Inc. Computer Arts program, and materials related to print documentation. Page 2 of 19

5 Financial records contain inventory and stock files; sales and consignment records; receipts and invoices; tax, estate, and insurance paperwork; and account books and ledgers. Printed material includes exhibition announcements, catalogs, and posters; material related to other projects; blank cards with Roy De Forest art; clippings; press releases; newsletters and journals; books; and source material. Photographic material includes photographs, negatives, transparencies, and slides of Roy De Forest and other individuals, as well as travel photos, images of his pets (primarily dogs), and images of his studio and works of art. This series also includes born digital material. Artwork includes drawings by De Forest and others, as well as sketchbooks. The collection also includes a small number of digital audio and video recordings which are currently unidentified. The artifacts series contains a tote bag, t-shirt, puzzle, and two calendars, all featuring Roy De Forest artwork. Also included in the series is a patterned shirt and an "art critic" baseball cap. Arrangement The collection is arranged in ten series. Series 1: Biographical Material, 1930, , (Boxes 1-2, OV 11, RD 13; 1.7 linear feet) Series 2: Correspondence, circa (Boxes 2-3; 1 linear foot) Series 3: Writings, (Box 3, OV 11; 0.4 linear feet) Series 4: Professional Records, 1968-circa 2007, 2014 (Box 3, OV 11; 0.5 linear feet) Series 5: Financial Records, (Boxes 3-5; 1.4 linear feet) Series 6: Printed Material: , (Boxes 5-7, OV 11; 3.7 linear feet) Series 7: Photographic Material: 1926, circa , undated (Boxes 7-8, OV 11, OV 12; 1 linear foot) Series 8: Artwork, circa , undated (Boxes 8-9, OV 11; 0.6 linear feet) Series 9: Digital Audio and Video, , , 2010 (Box 9, 2 folders) Series 10: Artifacts, 2009, , undated (Box 10, OV 11; 1.1 linear feet) Names and Subject Terms This collection is indexed in the online catalog of the Smithsonian Institution under the following terms: Cultures: Art, Modern -- 20th century -- California Artists' studios -- Photographs Computer Art Educators -- California Painters -- California Sculptors -- California Types of Materials: Drawings Page 3 of 19

6 Interviews Photographs Sketchbooks Sound recordings Video recordings Names: Dilexi Gallery Loujon Press Nixon, Bruce Strohl, Audrey Uccello, Paolo, Zack, David, Page 4 of 19

7 Series 1: Biographical Material Container Listing Series 1: Biographical Material, 1930, , linear feet (Boxes 1-2, OV 11, RD 13) Biographical material includes resumes, certificates of birth, marriage, and death, early school materials, certificates and awards, membership materials, identification documents, family history and genealogy material, and an interview recording. Also included in this series are obituaries, letters of condolence, and materials, including born-digital photographs and recordings, related to memorial services celebrating De Forest's life and work. Box 1, Folder 1 Resume and Biography, circa Box 1, Folder 2 Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate, 1930, 1974, 2007 Birth certificate is a certified copy. Box 1, Folder 3 Report Cards, Employment Materials, Certificates, and Awards, Oversized material housed in OV 11. Box OV 11 Box 1, Folder 4 Oversized Certificate Doctor of Fine Arts From San Francisco Art Institute, 1983 School Commencement Programs and Selah High School Class of '48 List, 1948, 1950, 1993 Box 1, Folder 5 Wye Jay Cee Yakima Junior College Yearbook, 1960 Roy De Forest attended Yakima Junior College, graduating in 1950, and taught there from This yearbook is from his time as a teacher. Box 1, Folder 6 Membership Cards, Box 1, Folder 7 Identification Documents, circa 1977, circa 2000s Box 1, Folder 8 The DeForests In America: From 1790 to 1998, 1998 Box 1, Folder 9 Box RD 13 Box 1, Folder 10 Material Related to the De Forest Family Tree, undated Oversized De Forest Family Tree, circa 1970s Interview with Karen Tsujimoto, 2003 March 1 videocassette (vhs) The label on the tape indicates this is tape 1 of 2, but tape 2 does not appear in the collection. Box 1, Folder 11 Obituaries, 2007 Box 1, Folder Online Obituaries and Correspondence, 2007 Box 1, Folder 15 Materials Related to Memorial Services and Exhibitions, 2007 Page 5 of 19

8 Series 1: Biographical Material Box 1, Folder 16 Memorial Guest Book, 2007 Box 1, Folder 17 A UC Davis Tribute to Roy De Forest Guest Book, 2007 Box 1, Folder 18 Notebook Containing Lists and Contact Information Related to Memorials, 2007 Box 1, Folder 19 Eulogy and Other Memorial Writings, 2007 Box 1, Folder 20 Digital Recordings of Memorials, electronic discs (dvd) Box 1, Folder 21 Digital Photographs and Audio Related to Memorials, electronic discs (cd) 1 electronic disc (dvd) Box 1, Folder Sympathy Cards and Letters of Condolence, 2007 Box 2, Folder 1-3 Sympathy Cards and Letters of Condolence, 2007 Box 2, Folder 4 Gloria Marchant Correspondence, Including Letters of Condolence and Memorial Gifts, Return to Table of Contents Page 6 of 19

9 Series 2: Correspondence Series 2: Correspondence, circa linear foot (Boxes 2-3) Correspondence includes letters and postcards to and from family, friends, colleagues, and arts institutions. Also included in this series are 3 folders of holiday and greeting cards. Box 2, Folder 5-20 Chronological Correspondence, Box 2, Folder Alphabetical Undated Correspondence, circa Box 2, Folder 26 Unidentified and Undated Correspondence, undated Box 2, Folder 27 Holiday and Greeting Cards, Box 3, Folder 1-2 Holiday and Greeting Cards, undated Return to Table of Contents Page 7 of 19

10 Series 3: Writings Series 3: Writings, , undated 0.4 linear feet (Box 3, OV 11) The writings series contains essays, lectures, exhibition texts, notes, and other materials written by Roy De Forest, including an essay, The Vision of Paolo Uccello, and his famous "dog lecture." Also included are draft and typescript writings by others, such as a Master's thesis by Audrey T. Strohl entitled A Biography of Roy De Forest: His Relationship to the Art Movements in the Bay Area of California, essays by Bruce Nixon, and poetry and an essay by David Zack. Writings by Roy De Forest appear first in this series and are arranged in chronological order. Writings by others follow and are arranged alphabetically. Box 3, Folder 3 Class Notebook, 1957 Box 3, Folder 4 University of California, Davis Master's Show Statement and Materials, circa 1968 Box 3, Folder 5 Nut Art Manifesto, 1972 Box 3, Folder 6 Introductory Essay for Hansen Fuller S.F.A.I. Show, 1975 Box 3, Folder 7 Lecture Notes A Dogmatic Construct, circa 1980 This is Roy De Forest's famous "dog lecture." Box OV 11 Oversized Proposal Notes, circa 1981 Box 3, Folder 8 Lecture Transcript Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture, 1985 Box 3, Folder 9 Box 3, Folder 10 Box 3, Folder 11 Box 3, Folder 12 Essay Ralph Albert Blakelock: A Study of the Available Information About His Life by Roy De Forest, undated Essay The Vision of Paolo Uccello by Roy De Forest, undated Notes Related to Art, undated Notes, undated Box 3, Folder 13 Assorted Writing and Poetry by Roy De Forest and Others, Box 3, Folder A Biography of Roy De Forest: His Relationship to the Art Movements in the Bay Area of California by Audrey T. Strohl, 1983 Box 3, Folder 17 Article on Pigment Technology by Art Guerra, 1987 Box 3, Folder 18 Essays by Bruce Nixon, 1991, 1993, undated Box 3, Folder 19 Ol' Black Job: A Cantada by William H. H. Rees, 1997 Box 3, Folder 20 Box 3, Folder 21 The Heart Has Its Reasons, undated Not So Naive by Meredith Tromble and John Turner, undated Page 8 of 19

11 Series 3: Writings Box 3, Folder 22 Box 3, Folder 23 On My Painting by Max Beckmann, undated Teaching of Art, Art of Teaching by David Zack, undated Return to Table of Contents Page 9 of 19

12 Series 4: Professional Records Series 4: Professional Records, linear feet (Box 3, OV 11) Professional records include materials related to The Roy De Forest Papers, a book of memories (never published) organized by Dilexi Gallery and the Loujon Press; a professional bibliography; teaching forms; print documentation; exhibition related materials, including a recording; copies of exhibition guest books; painting descriptions; materials related to the James Talcott, Inc. Computer Art program; and lists of professional contacts. Box 3, Folder 24 Box 3, Folder 25 Box 3, Folder Box 3, Folder 38 Box OV 11 The Roy De Forest Papers, Book of Memories Lists of People Asked to Participate, circa 1969 The Roy De Forest Papers, Book of Memories Correspondence Related to Book, The Roy De Forest Papers, Press Book of Memories Contributed Materials, 1969 Professional Bibliography, circa 1970s- circa 1980s Oversized material housed in OV 11. Oversized Notes for Professional Bibliography, circa 1970s Box 3, Folder 39 Teaching Forms, Box 3, Folder 40 Print Documentation, Box 3, Folder 41 Box 3, Folder 42 Box OV 11 Roy De Forest, Fuller Goldeen Gallery Exhibition Recording, 1984 April 1 videocassette (vhs) Project and Exhibition Materials Lists, Proposals, Exhibition Text, Agreements, Etc., 1974, 2006, 2014, undated Oversized materials housed in OV 11. Oversized Photocopy of Exhibition Guest Book, undated Box 3, Folder 43 Painting Descriptions, circa circa 2007 Box 3, Folder 44 Photocopy of Exhibition Guest Book, undated Box 3, Folder 45 James Talcott, Inc. Computer Art Program, 1975 Box 3, Folder 46 Box 3, Folder 47 Professional Contacts, undated Roy De Forest Stationery, undated Return to Table of Contents Page 10 of 19

13 Series 5: Financial Records Series 5: Financial Records, linear feet (Boxes 3-5) Financial records contain inventory and stock files; sales and consignment records; account books and ledgers; receipts and invoices; and tax, estate, and insurance paperwork. Box 3, Folder 48 Works Sold Master List, Box 3, Folder 49 Handwritten Inventory, 1970s, 2007 Box 3, Folder 50 Inventory and Consignment Documentation, Box 3, Folder 51 Storage Inventory, 2007 Box 3, Folder 52 Inventory Notes, undated Box 4, Folder 1-5 Sale and Consignment Records, The records in these files are arranged by date of work. Box 4, Folder 6 Materials Related to Consignment and Estate, Box 4, Folder 7 Sale, Consignment, and Other Financial Records, Box 4, Folder 8 Consignment, Royalty, Copyright, and Sales Records, 1994, , Box 4, Folder 9-10 Consignment and Inventory Records, Box 4, Folder 11 Sales, Consignment, and Art Income Records, Box 4, Folder 12 Sales, Consignment, and Art Income Records, Box 4, Folder 13 Letters of Thanks for Contributions, Donations, Gifts, Etc. and Related Materials, 1960, Box 4, Folder 14 Work Value Estimate and Photograph, 2010 Box 4, Folder 15 Box 4, Folder 16 Box 4, Folder 17 Box 4, Folder 18 Account Book With Sales, Consignment, and Inventory Records, and Invoices, Account Book With Sales, Consignment, and Inventory Records, and Invoices, Account Book With Sales, Consignment, and Inventory Records, and Invoices, Account Book With Sales, Consignment, and Inventory Records, and Invoices, Box 4, Folder Invoices, Receipts, and Lists of Art Expenses, 1975, Box 5, Folder 1-4 Invoices, Receipts, and Lists of Art Expenses, Page 11 of 19

14 Series 5: Financial Records Box 5, Folder 5 Retirement and Benefits Documents, , 2007, Box 5, Folder 6 Box 5, Folder 7 Lists of Books Donated to the Contra Costa Public Library, Pleasant Hill Branch, 2007 Estate Documents Form Letter from Lawyer to Galleries; Petition to Establish Claim of Ownership, 2007 Box 5, Folder 8 Materials Related to Estate and Art Insurance, Box 5, Folder 9 Materials Related to Art and Estate, Return to Table of Contents Page 12 of 19

15 Series 6: Printed Material Series 6: Printed Material, , linear feet (Boxes 5-7, OV 11) Printed material includes exhibition and auction announcements, invitations, and posters; exhibition catalogs; blank cards with Roy De Forest art; material related to other projects; journals and newsletters; press releases; clippings; source material; and books. Box 5, Folder Exhibition and Auction Announcements, Invitations, Posters, Etc., , undated Box 5, Folder 18 Exhibition Catalogs, circa Box 5, Folder 19 Exhibition Catalog (unbound) Gardens: Real and Imagined, 1989 Box 5, Folder Exhibition Catalogs, , 2005, , , undated Box 5, Folder 23 Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs for Others, Box 5, Folder 24 Box 5, Folder 25 Box 5, Folder 26 Box 5, Folder 27 Box 5, Folder 28 Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs for Others, undated Blank Cards Printed with Roy De Forest Art, undated A Journey to the Far Canine Range and the Unexplored Territory Beyond Terrier Pass, 1988 Materials Related to Other Projects, , undated Labels for Benziger Glen Ellen Imagery Series Wine, undated Box 6, Folder 1 Art News, Box 6, Folder 2 Archives of American Art Journal, 1979, 2004 Box 6, Folder 3 Chile Connoisseurs News and Other International Connoisseurs of Green and Red Chile Materials, Box 6, Folder 4 Newsletters, Box 6, Folder 5 Press Releases, , 2000, 2008 Box 6, Folder 6 Clippings, Box 6, Folder 7 Clippings, Box 6, Folder 8 Clippings, Box 6, Folder 9-14 Clippings, Box 6, Folder 15 Clippings, Box 6, Folder 16 Clippings, undated Page 13 of 19

16 Series 6: Printed Material Box 6, Folder 17 School Brochures, Box 6, Folder 18 Chapbook Playing Songs by David Zack, 1968 Box 6, Folder 19 Comics, circa circa 1975 Box 6, Folder 20 Box 6, Folder 21 Box OV 11 Source Material, undated Source Material Dogs, undated Oversized material housed in OV 11. Oversized Source Material Dog Posters, undated Box 6, Folder 22 Source Material and Books The Book of the Horse by Samuel Sidney, 1985 Box 6, Folder 23 Source Material and Books The Boy's Own Annual, vol. 55, circa 1933 Box 7, Folder 1 Source Material and Books Dog Stars of Hollywood, 1936 Box 7, Folder 2 Box 7, Folder 3 Box 7, Folder 4 Box 7, Folder 5 Box 7, Folder 6-7 Source Material and Books Dogs: Their History and Development vol 2 by Edward C. Ash, 1927 Source Material and Books Enamoured of an Ass compiled by Stella Walker, 1977 Source Material and Books The History of American Painting by Samuel Isham, 1916 Source Material and Books Wood's Natural History for Children, undated This copy of Wood's Natural History for Children previously included a number of paper cut outs enclosed in the pages. The cutouts have been removed and are in the following folders. The origins of the cutouts are unknown. Source Material and Books Cut Outs from Wood's Natural History for Children, undated Box 7, Folder 8 Source Material and Books Yakima Boy by Grace W. McGavran, 1954 Box 7, Folder 9 Assorted Printed Material and Business Cards, undated Box 7, Folder 10 Heavy Petting by The Sundogs, electronic disc (cd) Return to Table of Contents Page 14 of 19

17 Series 7: Photographic Material Series 7: Photographic Material, 1926, circa , linear foot (Boxes 7-8, OV 11, OV 12) Photographic material includes photographs, negatives, transparencies, and slides of Roy De Forest and other individuals, as well as travel photographs, images of his pets (primarily dogs), and images of his studio and works of art. This series also includes born digital material. Box 7, Folder 11 Photographs and Contact Sheets of Roy De Forest with Other People, Works of Art, and Dogs, 1977, , undated Box OV 11 Oversized Portrait of Roy De Forest with Artwork and Dogs, 1980 Box 7, Folder 12 Photographs of Roy De Forest, Other People, and Pets, 1926, 1961 Box 7, Folder 13 Photographs of Roy De Forest and Others Family Photographs and Scrapbook Pages, circa , undated Box 7, Folder 14 Photographs and Negatives of Roy De Forest, circa 1957 Box 7, Folder 15 Photographs of Roy De Forest, Other People and Dogs, circa 1959, 2005, undated Box 7, Folder 16 Box 7, Folder 17 Box 8, Folder 1-2 Box 8, Folder 3 Box 8, Folder 4 Box 8, Folder 5 Photographs of Roy De Forest, Other People and Dogs, 1974, 2005, undated Photographs of Roy De Forest, Other People, Works of Art, and Travel Photos, circa Photographs of Roy De Forest, Other People, Works of Art, and Travel Photos, circa Photographs of Roy De Forest, Other People, Works of Art, and Dogs, circa Photographs of Roy De Forest and Others with Works of Art, 1983, undated Photographs of Roy De Forest and Other People, 1993, , undated Box 8, Folder 6 Photographs of Roy De Forest, Other People, and Works of Art, circa Box 8, Folder 7 Box 8, Folder 8 Box 8, Folder 9 Box 8, Folder 10 Photographs and Transparencies of Roy De Forest with Others, with Works of Art, and Dogs, 2005, undated Photographs of Roy De Forest, Other People, Works of Art, and Dogs, undated Photographs of Other People, 1952, 2003, undated Photographs of Works of Art, , 2015, undated Box 8, Folder 11 Photographs and Transparencies of Works of Art, Studio, and Galleries, 1997, undated Box 8, Folder 12 Photographs of Works of Art Mural/Mosaic, undated Page 15 of 19

18 Series 7: Photographic Material Box OV 12 Box 8, Folder 13 Oversized Panoramic Photographs of Roy De Forest Studio and Memorial, Negatives Works of Art and People, circa 1960, undated Box 8, Folder 14 Transparencies Works of Art, circa Box 8, Folder 15 Color Transparencies and Slide Works of Art, 1971, undated Box 8, Folder 16 Negatives People, 1976 Box 8, Folder 17 Box 8, Folder 18 Negatives, Slide, and Transparencies Works of Art and People, circa Slides and Transparencies Works of Art and Roy De Forest with Others, Box 8, Folder 19 Slides Roy De Forest, Other People, Works of Art, and Dogs, 1962, Box 8, Folder 20 Color Slides Works of Art, Box 8, Folder 21 Photographs and Negatives Jeremy Anderson Works of Art, undated Box 8, Folder Digital Photographs, 2000, circa floppy disc 18 electronic discs (cd) Return to Table of Contents Page 16 of 19

19 Series 8: Artwork Series 8: Artwork, circa , undated 0.6 linear feet (Boxes 8-9, OV 11) Artwork includes drawings by De Forest and others, as well as sketchbooks. Researchers should note that all sketchbooks have many blank pages. Box 8, Folder 26 Drawings, circa 1951, 1956 Box 8, Folder 27 Drawings, undated Box 8, Folder 28 Drawings by Others, Box OV 11 Box 8, Folder Box 9, Folder 1-2 Oversized Drawings, Including Works of Art by Others, undated Sketchbooks, undated Sketchbooks, undated Return to Table of Contents Page 17 of 19

20 Series 9: Digital Audio and Video Recordings Series 9: Digital Audio and Video Recordings, , , folders (Box 9) This series contains born digital audio and video files which are currently unidentified. Box 9, Folder 3 Audio and Video Recordings, electronic discs (cd) 3 electronic discs (dvd) Box 9, Folder 4 Video Recordings, , electronic discs (dvd) Return to Table of Contents Page 18 of 19

21 Series 10: Artifacts Series 10: Artifacts, , undated 1.1 linear feet (Box 10, OV 11) Artifacts include a tote bag, t-shirt, puzzle, and two calendars, all featuring Roy De Forest artwork. Also included in the series is a patterned shirt and an "art critic" baseball cap. Box 10 Roy De Forest Puzzle, 2009 Box OV 11 Roy De Forest Calendar, 2012 Box OV 11 Roy De Forest Calendar, 2013 Box 10 Box 10 Box 10 Box 10 Tote Bag, undated T-Shirt, undated Patterned Shirt, undated "art critic" Baseball Cap, undated Return to Table of Contents Page 19 of 19