The Life and Artistic Evolution of Ed Moses
Born in Long Beach, United States, Ed Moses emerged as a central figure of postwar West Coast art. His journey began with service in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps during World War II, followed by studies at Long Beach City College and UCLA. After a period in New York City, where he encountered figures such as Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko, he returned to California. His career was marked by significant associations, including his membership in the group known as the Cool School, alongside artists like Ed Ruscha and Robert Irwin. Throughout his decades-long career, Moses held a faculty position at the University of California, Irvine, and received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1980.
Technique and Artistic Practice
Moses's practice was characterized by evolving methods and a commitment to abstraction. In his early years, he gained attention for his Rose Drawings, which utilized patterns traced from an oilcloth tablecloth found in Mexico, repeating them until they became dense abstractions. In his later years, at the age of 90, he explored a unique craquelure technique. This process involved painting the canvas with black or white, applying a secret medium, and then smashing the canvas with his fist or elbow. His work is held in numerous prestigious institutions, including:
