Elizabeth catlett artist biography

Elizabeth Catlett has been named one of the foremost African American artists of the 20^th century.¹ A sculptor and printmaker, Catlett’s art often conveyed political messages that manifested her dedication to issues relating to class, maternity, and racial and sexual equality.² Catlett was awarded a Rosenwald fellowship in and it was during her fellowship renewal in that she decided to continue her career in Mexico to pursue the fusion of art and politics. While she continuec to prioritize depictions of African American experiences through her art, this relocation brought an important international perspective to her work.³

Elizabeth Catlett began making a name for herself as an artist in the decade that she applied for a Rosenwald fellowship. In , she became the first student to complete a Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Iowa, where she studied with Grant Wood and Ossip Zadkine.⁴ In the same year, she became chair of the Art Department at Dillard

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Elizabeth Catlett

American artist and sculptor (–)

Elizabeth Catlett
Catlett in
Born	Alice Elizabeth Catlett[1] ()April 15, Washington, D.C., US
Died	April 2, () (aged&#;96)[2] Cuernavaca, Mexico
Nationality	USA Mexico
Other&#;names	Elizabeth Catlett Mora Elizabeth Catlett dem Mora
Education	School of the Art Institute of Chicago, South Side Community Art Center
Alma&#;mater	Howard University, University of Iowa
Occupation(s)	Sculptor, art teacher, graphic artist
Employer(s)	Taller de Gráfica Popular, Faculty of Arts and Design
Works	Students Aspire
Spouse(s)	Charles Wilbert vit (m. –; divorced) Francisco Mora (painter) (m. –; his death)
Children	3, including Juan Mora Catlett
Website

Elizabeth Catlett, born as Alice Elizabeth Catlett, also known as Elizabeth Catlett Mora (April 15, ^[1] – April 2, )^[3][4] was an American and Mexican sculptor and graph

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Elizabeth Catlett American ,

Elizabeth Catlett is an artist most remembered for her abstracted sculptures of the human form. Influenced by studying with Grant Wood and Ossip Zadkine in the ’s, her naturalistic figurative sculpture and painting took on a modern style. Catlett’s combination of modernist influence, use of historic African American and Mexican artwork, and personal background synthesized a potent oeuvre and legacy.

With simple, clear shapes she evokes both the physical and spiritual essence of her subjects. Her hardy laborers and nurturing mothers radiate both power and a timeless dignity and calm. Whether working in wood, stone, bronze, or clay, Catlett reveals an extraordinary technical virtuosity, a natural ability to meld her curving female forms with the grain, color, or luster of her chosen medium. The beauty of her subjects is matched by the beauty she reveals in her materials.

After graduating cum laude from Howard University in , she taug