Acquisition Highlight: Janice Lowry illustrated journals
The Archives of American Art recently acquired the Janice Lowry papers, 1957-2008
Janice Lowry’s journals. Photograph by Mary Savig, 2009.
California artist Janice Lowry (1946-2009) drew, pasted, stamped and mused in her journals—over 100 of them—on a daily basis from 1967 to 2008. Because of Lowry’s artistic panache and unyielding dedication, these journals have become both works of art and vestiges of her daily activities.
Over the years, the journals grew in size and scale, each adorned with layers of personal photographs, glossy magazine clippings, and witty remarks. Yet Lowry’s keen awareness of the everyday, whether it be the death of Warhol or her list of household chores has remained the thread running through each page.
Lowry donated her personal papers to the Archives of American Art in the spring of 2009. In September, she died of liver cancer.
Smithsonian Magazine recently published an article on Lowry, “Drawn From Life,” by Owen Edwards.Selected Journals
Journal 101
Lowry's 2003 journal includes collages of photographs and magazine clippings as well as doodles and commentary on the day's events.
Journal 43
The exterior of this journal features a mirror and thickly applied paint. By 1985, Lowry was adding more artistic flair to each journal.
Journal 98
From 2002 to 2003, Lowry worked on this journal. Magazine clippings are interwoven with her daily to-do lists.