Barbara Nessim: An Artful Life

15 February 2013 – 19 May 2013

Star Girl Banded with Blue Wave, Barbara Nessim, 1966. Image courtesy of the artist

 

Room 74
Free admission

This display provides an overview of the career of the American artist and designer Barbara Nessim, from the 1960s to the present day. In addition to producing a wide range of highly distinctive artworks, Nessim has also worked as an illustrator and fashion designer, creating everything from shoes and textiles to commercial graphics. She has produced cover illustrations for Time, Rolling Stone and the New York Times magazine, plus adverts for Levis and Ralph Lauren. The display includes sketchbooks, prints, drawings, photographs, computer graphics, ceramics, artist’s books and other printed publications.

A book with the same title is published by Abrams in 2013, in association with the V&A.

This display has been supported by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners and an anonymous donor in honour of Patric Prince.

Video: Barbara Nessim - An Artful Life

In this video Barbara Nessim discusses the many themes addressed by her work, ranging from gender-roles to the creative energy of the city she calls home. Nessim also considers the development of computer art, and explains how she came to be a pioneer of the medium.

About displays

Complementing our permanent collections, there are many free temporary displays around the V&A. They range in size from a single case to a room.