my parents knew her very well. In the late 1950s until the late 70s, she would paint something for every wedding anniversary. One of them was when my mother when she was pregnant with my older brother. I’m also in one. She was truly an amazing woman.
A truly great American artist. Astonishing to think that she's still being "discovered" by a whole new audience today and that her entire body of work (that spans decades) remains absolutely relevant. Much to Johnny's credit, as probably the greatest talk show host of all time, he recognized her talent and shows respect. Notice how adeptly he steers the audience away from their sensationally inappropriate guffaws and laughter. Talent always recognizes talent.
Delightful and wonderfully talented woman, I will have to look more into her work. Great rapport with Johnny as well. Glad to see clips being uploaded again!
What a lovely woman. Sadly, Alice Neel died in October 1984 in colon cancer (7 months after this was taped). She was already suffering from her illness but still graciously appeared with Johnny. The respect and dignity that Johnny showed to all of his guests (as is evident in this clip) was unsurpassed. May they both Rest In Peace. 🤍
I met her in person in 1979. Such a wonderful person and great artist! Coming to Union College for a lecture she pointed at me in the audience and told everyone "Look at this guy...He looks like a little Jewish Mayor!!" I SO wish I had offered to come to NYC to pose for her!
Most are addicted to technology today Alice and can't even put their phone down while out eating, driving, walking, etc. You didn't miss anything ma'am, you were blessed. June 2022.
AN ARTIST OF WIT BRILLIANT WITH STYLE EACH CANVAS OF COLOR WE LINGER AWHILE HOW WORDS ARE PROFOUND WHEN NEVER SAID HOW EMOTIONS ARE SHAKENED WHEN NEVER READ BEAUTY IS ABSTRACT EACH CANVAS SCREAMS IDEAS AND TRUTH ENHANCED WITH DREAMS
This clip was shown at Alice Neel: People Come First Exhibit at de Young museum in San Francisco (originally curated by The MET in NYC) and get a glimpse of what she was like later her life. Hard to believe she was once in a mental hospital after suicidal. At the end, the art really saved her life and has given a meaning of life. She seems like a delightful woman who doesn't take things too seriously in her later life. Really loved this video when I first saw it at the museum, and how Johnny Carson went along with her jokes and teases.
What’s amazing is he knew how important it was to bring these people who through their own cultural creativity influenced the lives of everyday people and Americans. And, you can just see he appreciates not only her, but these people who built the present we live in.
We are so spoiled. We forget how forward we are. Most have all needs met. Mostly the complaining Is about not getting what we want. She would be appalled at our dissatisfaction with all we already have. 🙏🇬🇪🇺🇸
Alice Neel was a true artist--a real painter's painter: *Though the bulk of her work was figurative, she wouldn't paint portraits for money because, she said, "Then I'd have to make you look pretty." *As she says in the interview, when abstraction was all the rage in NY, she stuck to her guns (portraiture) and was punished financially for it. She lived in poverty most of her life. She was unique...a real person of consequence. RIP, Alice.
Thank you for this info. I'm glad that she lived long enough to get at least some recognition, as at the Whitney and on this show, and hopefully elsewhere. I think of those, like Van Gogh, who never lived to see their work recognized. Bravo to her for being true to herself! That in itself is inspiring to me.
Alice made it on JCarson! She was ‘out and about, around town’ only recently heard of her, about her as an artist/painter/creative. Clearly long since been, I have heard of the known names in the art world. Not a feminist nor an activist for female equality, but it does seem, important to recognize individual human beings, women included. 😊
Old women were even more racist back then... They were old enough to have lived through Jim Crow so to them that was normal and some were even old enough to remember the 1890s which was an incredibly more racist time.
She was a very lucky amateur dabbler. Gifted with a personality, but no artistic genius. It is the way of things... in the West's Capitalist 'art market' The cult of personality always trumps talent. Behind every 'renowned' American artist... are money-men making a huge profit.
