Oliveira, Nathan, b. 1928
PainterSan Francisco, Calif. (Show Bio)
Nathan Oliveira interviews, 1978 Aug. 9-1981 Dec. 29
1978-1980 sessions: 3 sound tape reels ; 5 in. (92 p. transcript on one microfilm reel)
1981 session: 2 sound cassettes (28 p. transcript )
Reel(s): 3198
Interviews of Nathan Oliveira conducted by Paul Karlstrom for the Archives of American Art.
1978-1980 SESSIONS, REEL 3198: Oliveira speaks of his family background and ancestry; his childhood; his education; the development of his interest in art; working as a bookbinder; his inspirations from the old masters; studying with Max Beckmann and Otis Oldfield; his U.S. Army service; working with Richard Diebenkorn; getting established in galleries as a printmaker; teaching printmaking; his European travels; living in Illinois and its effect on his career; moving to California; and meeting and working with Martha Jackson. He recalls Billy Al Bengston, Ivan Albright, and Willem de Kooning, and discusses de Kooning's influence on him.
1981 SESSION; UNMICROFILMED: Oliveira speaks of subject matter in his paintings, and his departure from and his later return to the human figure; the relationship between artist and model; the importance and persistence of the figurative tradition in American art; artists he admires. He recalls Keith Boyle and Frank Lobdell.
These interviews are part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
How to Use this Interview
- 1978-1980 session; transcript: Transcript available on microfilm.
- 1978-1980 session transcript: microfilm reel 3198 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
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