Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Why Artist Ben Shahn Embraced Nonconformity"

Introduction to the Episode In this insightful episode of All Of It, hosted by Tiffany Hansen in place of Alison Stewart, the focus centers on the renowned artist Ben Shahn. Highlighting a comprehensive retrospective exhibition at the Jewish Museum titled "Ben Shahn on Nonconformity," the episode delves into Shahn's enduring legacy as a socially engaged artist who steadfastly maintained his unique voice amidst changing artistic and political landscapes.

Overview of the Exhibition Tiffany Hansen introduces the exhibition, noting its significance as the first retrospective of Ben Shahn's work in nearly five decades. The Jewish Museum's showcase features 175 pieces spanning multiple decades, emphasizing Shahn's commitment to social realism and his unwavering progressive views. Hansen remarks:

"The show examines Shahn's social realist paintings, how he advocated for his progressive views with his art never compromising to the times. And Shahn was Jewish. He immigrated to New York from the Russian Empire as a boy and grew up in Williamsburg. He dedicated himself to being an artist always within the framework of what he called nonconformity." ([00:28])

Guests Introduced Joining Hansen are two distinguished guests:

• Dr. Laura Katzman, Art History Professor at James Madison University.
• Dr. Steven Brown, Curator at the Jewish Museum.

Defining Nonconformity in Ben Shahn's Work The conversation begins with an exploration of the concept of nonconformity as articulated by Ben Shahn. Dr. Brown elaborates on how nonconformity served as both a political and artistic credo for Shahn, especially during the politically tumultuous 1950s:

"Nonconformity was a very good umbrella term, really, to call the show because it came from Shahn's own words. This was an essay that he wrote in 1957 called 'On Nonconformity,' which actually came out of his Charles Elliot Norton lectures at Harvard University." ([02:06])

Dr. Brown highlights Shahn's resistance against the pervasive abstract expressionism of his time, asserting that:

"Shahn believed that the artist is an inherent nonconformist who had to speak their truth, had to go against the grain, however unpopular, had to go against faddish trends, had to be courageous." ([02:46])

Dr. Katzman adds that nonconformity, for Shahn, was intrinsically linked to a rejection of absolutism, advocating instead for the freedom of expression across diverse artistic mediums.

Visual Cues of Nonconformity in Shahn's Art Tiffany Hansen inquires whether Shahn's nonconformity manifests visually in his artwork. Dr. Brown responds by emphasizing the diversity and evolution of Shahn's styles, noting that:

"There really is no one clue or key. It's really the freedom to express oneself not only in your own style but also to move freely between media." ([06:20])

He further explains that Shahn's ability to seamlessly transition between painting, murals, photography, and commercial work exemplifies his nonconformist approach, breaking down traditional hierarchies in the art world.

Ben Shahn's Early Life and Influences The discussion shifts to Shahn's immigrant background and early life in Williamsburg, a hub for working-class immigrants. Dr. Katzman paints a picture of Shahn's upbringing:

"The life of the immigrant that Shahn shared with thousands of other immigrants was basically very hard and economically challenged at the time, but with tremendous senses of community and a search for a purpose in America." ([08:22])

Dr. Brown adds depth by detailing Shahn's familial influences:

"His father was a socialist in Russian-controlled Lithuania. His father was an anti-Czarist activist who was banished to Siberia, made his way to South Africa, and then eventually to the United States." ([10:12])

This background fostered in Shahn a deep-seated commitment to social justice, which permeated both his life and art.

Training in Lithography and Its Impact Hansen probes into Shahn's early training in lithography, prompting Dr. Brown to explain its significance:

"Lithography is an art form that at that time involved actually kind of almost engraving into stones. Shahn was given this rigorous, disciplined training as a lithographer, a journeyman lithographer. He was responsible for commercial posters, billboards, that kind of thing." ([11:22])

This training not only honed Shahn's technical skills but also instilled a profound appreciation for typography and the power of visual communication. Dr. Brown emphasizes that:

"This set the stage for him as an artist who could engage in the commercial world, who could embrace lettering and language at an early age, who developed a very strong, potent line that really carries throughout his work." ([12:00])

The Great Depression and Its Influence on Shahn's Artistry A pivotal moment in Shahn's career was the Great Depression, which profoundly impacted his artistic trajectory. Dr. Katzman discusses how the economic hardship of the era influenced Shahn's engagement with photography:

"Shahn was really artistically on fire in the Great Depression. His response to it through photographs... brought a kind of authenticity to his work. He had seen these people with his own eyes. He had encountered them and engaged with them." ([15:23])

Shahn's collaboration with photographer Walker Evans under the Farm Security Administration allowed him to document the plight of American workers, blending his realist approach with governmental efforts to address economic suffering.

Dr. Brown further elaborates on how the New Deal era provided Shahn with opportunities to both respond artistically to societal needs and advocate for government support of the arts:

"He advocated for government support of the arts the rest of his life. It was an extraordinary time for him to see the dire poverty that was going on in the United States and to document it, which he then used to communicate and justify New Deal funding." ([15:50])

Shahn's Multifaceted Artistic Evolution Throughout the exhibition, Shahn's artistic evolution is evident. Dr. Brown notes the transition from documentary-style photography to allegorical and spiritual painting, underscoring the continuity of social justice themes across his diverse body of work.

"You really see how the artist's process and his way of going about making his imagery... All the while the social justice is sort of threaded throughout." ([07:52])

Conclusion and Exhibition Details As the conversation wraps up, Hansen invites listeners to experience the evolution of Ben Shahn's art firsthand at the Jewish Museum, where the exhibition "Ben Shahn on Nonconformity" remains on view through October 12th. She thanks the guests for their valuable insights, highlighting the enduring relevance of Shahn's work in contemporary discussions on culture and social justice.

Closing Remarks The episode concludes with a brief mention of ongoing exhibits and further research contributions, underscoring the museum's role in preserving and showcasing Shahn's impactful legacy.

Key Takeaways

• Nonconformity as a Core Principle: Ben Shahn's dedication to nonconformity was both a personal and professional stance, advocating for artistic freedom and societal progress.
• Influence of Immigrant Background: Shahn's early life in Williamsburg and his family's socialist activism deeply influenced his commitment to social justice.
• Artistic Versatility: His training in lithography and embrace of various media exemplified his nonconformist approach, breaking traditional art boundaries.
• Impact of the Great Depression: The economic hardships of the era fueled Shahn's socially engaged art, particularly through his collaborative work with the Farm Security Administration.
• Enduring Legacy: Shahn remains a pivotal figure in American art history, celebrated for his ability to blend aesthetic innovation with profound social commentary.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dr. Steven Brown on Nonconformity:

  "Nonconformity was a very good umbrella term... Shahn believes that the artist is an inherent nonconformist who had to speak their truth." ([02:06] - [02:46])

• Dr. Laura Katzman on Immigrant Experience:

  "This is an immigrant story... it speaks on a global level to one of the most important discourses of our time, which is global migration." ([08:22] - [10:10])

• Dr. Steven Brown on Lithography Training:

  "Shahn was given this rigorous, disciplined training... this developed a very strong, potent line that really carries throughout his work." ([11:22] - [12:29])

• Dr. Laura Katzman on Great Depression Impact:

  "Photography was absolutely critical for him... he couldn't paint or document their situations without having that kind of direct contact." ([15:23] - [15:50])

Final Thoughts This episode of All Of It offers a compelling exploration of Ben Shahn's life and work, underscoring the profound interplay between an artist's personal convictions and their creative expressions. Through expert insights and detailed discussions, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for Shahn's role in shaping American cultural and artistic landscapes.