Author Description

Al Held visited the J. Johnson Gallery in 2004 to lay out the show that was planned to accompany the installation of the first of four murals commissioned for the newly constructed Jacksonville Public Library. Held envisioned displaying earlier studies completed while working on the Lexington Avenue-53rd Street Project (Passing Through, 2004) with the new studies for the library's Grand Reading Room space. Held Personally selected each of the show's pieces and placement. This book is the result of that collaboration, and the desire to honor Held after his sudden death in July 2005. Paula Harper's introductory essay provides a unique synthesis of Held's evolution as an artist, and his desire to "recreate abstractionism" by reintroducing, in his words, "the juice and the meat of a painting- which is light, space, and narrative." As Harper notes, the Library Project achieved this goal, as can be seen in the series of independent studies specific to this project. Studies for Held's earlier Lexington Project are also presented, as are other independent studies reflecting similar themes. These sets of studies offer a unique insight into the development of Held's public art contributions. The final section of this book includes the statements of some of Held's students and contemporaries shared at his memorial service on December 7, 2005, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Readers will get a sense of the strong personality that accompanied this talented artist. Often contentious, always demanding himself and others, Held is remembered as an artist who continued to discover and refine new images, while pushing, cajoling and challenging other artists. He made a difference. In their lives and their work. His brilliance will be missed.