Vivian Springford American, 1913-2003

Vivian Springford is celebrated for her abstract works, whose captivating visuals display a distinct confidence in movement and responsiveness to material. Initially, her work derived inspiration from exposure to East Asian literature, artwork, and philosophy. This influence manifested in her practice through stark gestural markings that reference traditional Chinese calligraphical imagery. Over the course of her career, her practice gradually evolved through an increased incorporation of drips, quick strokes, and dynamic color pairings, while always maintaining a keen attention to color and a palpable kinetic quality. Through her innovative approach to applying thinned acrylic layers on canvas alongside her active mark making and acceptance of the unpremeditated, she produced a diverse body of organic, emotive images. Springford’s vast, energetic inquiries into the universe simultaneously reflect the evolution of the abstract expressionist movement.   

Vivian Springford’s (1913-2003) artistic education began at the esteemed Art Students League in New York, NY, studying under Robert Brackman and Jon Corbino. Springford’s works have been exhibited at numerous prestigious galleries and museums across the United States and internationally, with notable exhibitions at the Almine Rech Gallery in Gstaad, Switzerland; the Great Jones Gallery in New York, NY; the Preston Gallery in New York, NY; the Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, NY; Gary Snyder Fine Art in New York, NY; and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.   

Following her passing in 2003, works by the artist are held in the permanent collections of numerous private and public institutions, including the Guggenheim, New York, NY, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.