Emily Mason: Unknown to Possibility

The first comprehensive survey of a singular voice in New York abstraction, showcasing Mason’s audacious explorations in color and intuitive command of form.

This is the most definitive volume on the life and art of Emily Mason (1932–2019), a post–New York School abstract painter whose work is marked by vibrant color and improvisational brushwork. Born in Greenwich Village, Mason developed her distinctive approach to Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting, reminiscent of the abstractions of Mark Rothko, Helen Frankenthaler, and Joan Mitchell.

This long overdue book rediscovers this important artist and reaffirms Mason’s place among the most influential abstract painters of her time. The volume examines Mason’s artistic evolution from her education at The Cooper Union to her unique and dedicated approach that transcended conventional art movements. The essays explore her significant oils on paper, prints, and clayboards, showcasing her technical prowess and adaptability. Personal writings offer insights into Mason’s reflections and experiences, enriching the understanding of her impactful legacy.

Dr. Barbara Stehle teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design and is the founder of Art Intelligentsia. Elisa Wouk Almino is a writer and the editorial director of Los Angeles Times Image. Naz Cuguoğlu is the contemporary art curator at the Asian Art Museum. David Ebony is a contributing editor of Art in America. Morgan English is a writer living in Vermont. Carrie Moyer is an American painter and writer living in Brooklyn. Steven R. Rose is president of the Emily Mason and Alice Trumbull Mason Foundation. Jenni Sorkin is professor and chair of the History of Art & Architecture, UC Santa Barbara. Nari Ward is a multidisciplinary visual artist.