David Smith

Sculptor

Birthday March 9, 1906

Birth Sign Pisces

Birthplace Indiana

DEATH DATE May 23, 1965 (59)

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About

Abstract Expressionist artist best known for his "Cubis" series of stainless-steel, geometric sculptures. He was also known for "Hudson River Landscape" from 1950 and "The Letter" from 1950, both designed to break down the barriers between sculpting and painting.

Before Fame

He briefly attended Ohio University and the University of Notre Dame. He dropped out of Notre Dame two weeks after the semester started because there weren't any art courses. He worked for a summer in an automobile factory on the assembly line.

Trivia

He was a welder for the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York, during World War II. He accepted a teaching position with Sarah Lawrence College.

Family Life

He was married to the famed Dorothy Dehner from 1927 until 1952. He took her advice and joined the Art Students League of New York, where he was taught by John Sloan and Jan Matulka.

Associated With

He was selected by President Lyndon B. Johnson to be a part of the National Council of the Arts in 1965.