Conrad Marca Relli

Early Life and Education

• Born: Corrado Marcarelli, June 5, 1913, in Boston, Massachusetts
• His parents were Italian immigrants from Benevento.
• Moved to New York City with his family at age 13.
• Studied briefly at the Cooper Union in 1930.
• Supported himself through teaching and illustrations early in his career.

Career Development and Artistic Style

• Works Progress Administration (WPA): From 1935 to 1938, he worked for the WPA as a teacher and muralist, winning the Logan Medal of the Arts. This period exposed him to key figures like Willem de Kooning and Franz Kline.
• World War II Service: Served in the US Army (1941–1945).
• Early Influences: Initially influenced by Giorgio de Chirico, his early works featured surrealist-inspired imagery.
• Breakthrough with Collage: A pivotal shift occurred around 1952 during a trip to Mexico, leading him to embrace collage as a primary medium.
• Abstract Expressionism and Beyond: While associated with the New York School Abstract Expressionists, Marca-Relli maintained a distinct style characterized by his focus on the human figure as a basis for abstraction and his connection to European artistic traditions.
• Materials & Techniques: He experimented with various materials including oil paint, canvas, synthetic plastics, and metals. His collages often incorporated nails and other industrial elements.

Major Achievements and Recognition

• Founding Member of the Artists' Club: Active in the avant-garde art scene in Greenwich Village, he helped found the Artists’ Club.
• Ninth Street Show (1951): Participated in this significant exhibition that marked a turning point for many Abstract Expressionist artists.
• Logan Medal of the Arts (1954): Awarded for his painting "Seated Figure."
• Retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art (1967): A major recognition of his career achievements.
• Honorary Italian Citizenship: Granted shortly before his death, reflecting his strong ties to Italy.

Influences and Historical Significance

• European Masters: Drew inspiration from Renaissance artists (Paolo Uccello), Cubism, and metaphysical painters like Giorgio de Chirico and Alberto Burri.
• Bridging Surrealism and Abstraction: Marca-Relli’s work helped bridge the gap between earlier surrealist tendencies and the emerging abstract expressionist movement.
• Pioneering Collage as a Major Art Form: He elevated collage to a monumental scale, influencing later artists like those associated with Neo-Dada.
• Unique Position within Abstract Expressionism: His continued focus on figuration and his strong European influences set him apart from many of his American contemporaries.

Later Life and Legacy

• Lived and worked in Parma, Italy with his wife Anita Gibson.
• Died August 29, 2000, in Parma, Italy at the age of 87.
• Archivio Marca-Relli: Established to collect information and archive his work for future study.
• His art is represented in major museum collections worldwide, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, The Guggenheim Museums, and the Art Institute of Chicago.