Gabrielle Selz

Last updated
Gabrielle Selz
Born (1958-07-26) July 26, 1958 (age 65)
Claremont, California, U.S.
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Art History (University of California, Santa Cruz)
  • Master's degree in Writing (City College of New York)
Occupation(s)Author, Art Critic, Art Appraiser
Notable work
  • Unstill Life: A Daughter’s Memoir of Art and Life in the Age of Abstraction
  • Light on Fire: The Art and Life of Sam Francis
Parents
Awards
  • Moth Story Slam winner
  • NYFA Fellowship in Nonfiction, 2009
  • Best Memoir of the Year, American Society of Journalists and Authors
  • Silver Medal in Nonfiction, California Book Awards, 2022
Website www.selzfineartappraisals.com

Gabrielle Selz (born July 26, 1958) is an American author, art critic, and appraiser specializing in art. Selz is noted for her contributions to the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art, as well as for her published works on art history and personal memoirs.

Contents

Early life and education

Selz was born in Claremont, California, and grew up immersed in the vibrant cultural and artistic milieu of Westbeth Artists Community, where she was exposed to numerous artists and intellectuals. Her father, Peter Selz, significantly influenced the art world as the Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art in New York during the 1960s and later as the Founding Director of the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. [1] Her mother, Thalia Selz, was an established writer and a key figure in the artistic community, notably as the founding editor of Story Quarterly and a pivotal player in the establishment of Westbeth Artists Community.

She pursued her academic interests in art history, obtaining her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 1980. Furthering her education, Selz earned a master's degree in writing from the City College of New York in 2014. Throughout her career, Selz has contributed essays and reviews to publications such as The New Yorker , [2] The New York Times , [3] the Los Angeles Times , [4] and Artforum . [5] She has also been recognized as a Moth Story Slam winner [6] and received the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Nonfiction in 2009. [7]

Career

Publications

Gabrielle Selz has made notable contributions to the literary world through her insightful exploration of art history and personal memoirs. Her works are celebrated for their depth, historical accuracy, and the unique perspective she brings as the daughter of an influential art curator.

Unstill Life: A Daughter’s Memoir of Art and Life in the Age of Abstraction

Selz's literary debut, Unstill Life (W.W. Norton, 2014), delves into her unique upbringing among some of the 20th century's most prominent artists and intellectuals. This memoir explores the complexities of her family life, set against the backdrop of the Age of Abstraction. The narrative interweaves personal anecdotes with significant art historical events, offering readers a rare glimpse into the intimate dynamics of a family deeply embedded in the art world. The book was critically acclaimed, earning the title of Best Memoir of the Year from the American Society of Journalists and Authors and recognized as one of the best books of 2014 by the San Francisco Chronicle. [8] [9]

Light on Fire: The Art and Life of Sam Francis

In 2021, Selz published Light on Fire: The Art and Life of Sam Francis (University of California Press), the first comprehensive biography of the abstract expressionist Sam Francis. Drawing from a wealth of primary sources, including personal interviews and Francis's own writings, Selz presents a meticulously researched account of Francis's life and work. The book illuminates Francis's pivotal role in the development of post-war American art and his profound impact on the global art scene. It was awarded the Silver Medal in Nonfiction at the California Book Awards in 2022, highlighting its significant contribution to art historical scholarship. [10] [11]

Selz Fine Art

In addition to her writing, Selz founded Selz Fine Art in 2019. The firm offers specialized services in art appraisal and collection management, focusing on American, European, and contemporary art of the 19th and 20th centuries. Selz is accredited by the American Society of Appraisers. [12]

Personal life

Selz has been married and divorced twice, first to painter David Geiser, followed by a second marriage to Bogdan Mync, with whom she shares a son, Theodore Mync. [13]

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References

  1. ↑ "Peter Selz, Prominent Art Historian and Museum Director, Dies at 100". The New York Times. 2019-06-28.
  2. ↑ Selz, Gabrielle (2014-05-20). "The Art of Mending". The New Yorker. ISSN   0028-792X . Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  3. ↑ "Articles". Gabrielle Selz. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  4. ↑ Selz, Gabrielle (2018-09-26). "Op-Ed: Why don't women come forward? Talking about sexual assault is excruciating and people don't want to hear it". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  5. ↑ Selz, Gabrielle (2023-01-01). "Alice Rahon". Artforum. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  6. ↑ "Moth Story Slam Winner - Gabrielle Selz". YouTube.
  7. ↑ "NYFA Fellows Directory" (PDF). New York Foundation for the Arts.
  8. ↑ "Unstill Life: A Daughter's Memoir of Art and Life in the Age of Abstraction". W.W. Norton & Company. 2014.
  9. ↑ "Writing Award Winners". American Society of Journalists and Authors. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  10. ↑ "Light on Fire: The Art and Life of Sam Francis". University of California Press.
  11. ↑ "91st Annual California Book Awards". The Commonwealth Club.
  12. ↑ "About Gabrielle Selz". Selz Fine Art Appraisals.
  13. ↑ "David Geiser, Artist, Was 73". The East Hampton Star. 2020-11-05.
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