Howard Newman

Howard Newman is an American painter, sculptor, art restorer, and inventor.[1]

Howard Newman
Howard Newman in 2016
Born
Elizabeth, New Jersey
NationalityAmerican
Known forFine art, art restoration, invention

Biography

Howard Newman was born in Elizabeth, NJ, in 1943. He received a BA from Miami University of Ohio, where he studied Architecture, Cultural Anthropology, Sociology and Classical Literature.[2] After graduating from Miami University, Newman and his wife Mary entered Peace Corps training in a Special Forces training camp in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, where the two learned fluent Spanish and Survival Training. In 1967, Newman was accepted to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). In 1969 he received a BFA in Industrial Design and an MFA in Sculpture with a concentration in Silversmithing under the mentorship of master metalsmith John Prip.[3]

Newman was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Italy in 1961; he and his wife Mary resided in Impruneta, south of Florence. There, Newman began making bronze sculptures.[4] In 1973 and 1974, Newman and his wife gave birth to their children, Joshua A.C. Newman and Rachel Newman-Greene.[3] Newman and his wife returned to Italy for another year between 1985 and 1986 and lived in Pietrasanta, north of Pisa, where he worked in La Fonderia Mariani, creating a series of bronzes, including two now on the grounds of the Newport Art Museum.

As of 2016, Newman continues to work at his private studio located in Newport, Rhode Island.[1]

Fine art reviews
The Violinist and Drummer Girl

Howard Newman's art is recognized for its mechanical, geometric shapes reminiscent of Futurism, with elements of early 20th Century Surrealism.

Newman is best known for drawings and bronzes that are reminiscent of Umberto Boccioni's Futurist sculpture and [Raymond] Duchamp-Villon's mechanical abstractions. Newman combines elements of human figures and machines into tightly interlocking geometric shapes that he assembles from separately cast pieces.

— Smithsonian American Art Museum.[2]

Newman's bronzes have the refined, assured thoroughness of a master sculptor. He works in a personal style that produces objects of extraordinary elegance. The bronzes of Howard Newman speak with a refinement rarely heard today.

— The American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.[5]

Newman's drawings are virtuoso.

— Grace Glueck, The New York Times.[6]

A great stillness surrounds the bronze sculptures and charcoal drawings of Howard Newman. The artist packs his forms into skins as tight as any carved and modeled by the great Hindu sculptors.

— Vivien Raynor, The New York Times.[7]

Mr. Newman is something of a phenomenon. His art has the look of something that was born fully matured. It is unusual for a young sculptor to produce work as refined, as assured, as thoroughly knowing, as Howard Newman's.

— Hilton Kramer, The New York Times

... these acrylic and charcoal paintings and cast bronze sculptures give evidence of a sustained and fruitfully developing oeuvre. The sensibility is difficult, but the craftsmanship and power are undeniable.

— Barbara Glaberson, Art/World[8]

A most exceptional talent, combining tremendous strength, great elegance, and a sense of profound mystery.

— Emily Genauer, The New York Post[9]

Newman's work appears perfectly controlled, combining line and form in a way that both denies and enhances the haunting complexity of the work. He subtly combines contradictory elements of exquisite seriousness with humor. The result of his neoclassicism is an extraordinary elegance and wit.

— Madeleine Burnside, Art News[10]

Newman's art genuinely expresses his own ideal of the world.

— Hedy O'Beil, Arts Magazine[11]

... the poignancy of his imagery is vividly revealed in sculptures of remarkable technical virtuosity.

— The New Examiner[12]

Newman creates figures that combine the geometric precision of Cubism with the more rounded forms of Futurist sculpture.

— The Los Angeles Times[13]

Newman's painting strains to break into the third-dimension, where Newman is an undisputed master.

— Channing Gray, The Providence Journal-Bulletin.[14]

Howard Newman is his own man with a fear and vision that explains, and maybe also sees through, a great deal of the face of our times.

— Ragnar Von Holten, Kalejdoskop Magazine[15]

Newman has been represented by: Doris Bry; the Cordier & Ekstrom Gallery in New York, The Gimpel & Weitzenhoffer Gallery, New York; The Hokin Gallery, Palm Beach, Florida, and the Feingarten Galleries, Beverly Hills, California.[1]

Restoration
Restoration of a marble bust of Alexis Caswell

Currently, Newman and his staff restore a wide range of art objects made of mixed materials, including silver, gold, bronze, tin, iron and zinc.[16] Newman spent a decade working on projects for the Preservation Society of Newport County. He exhibited some of those restorations at the Century Association in New York City in the year 2000.[17] Newmans’ company is responsible for the restoration of Brown University’s John Hay Library collection of marble busts.[18]

Restoration is a bit like forensics, history and archaeology all together. You work backwards until you find where something changed or broke down to understand it.

— Howard Newman, "Built to Last"[19]

Restoration of "The Trinity"

In 2008, Newman and his company undertook the restoration of The Trinity Crucifix, the centerpiece of The Church of St. Gregory the Great on the campus of Portsmouth Abbey. The Trinity was crafted by American sculptor Richard Lippold in 1960’s, consisting of a 22,000-foot web of gold-plated brass wire. The wires radiate from the hands of the cross above the head, suspending the crucifix ten feet above the altar.[20] The artisans from Newmans Ltd. carefully untangled the deteriorating wire, and restrung the five miles of wire into the original configuration, along with the restored crucifix.[21]

Portsmouth Abbey Crucifix

The restoration project received a 2009 Rhody Award for Historic Preservation by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission and 2009 Honor Award for Historic Preservation from the American Institute of Architects of Rhode Island.[22]

Inventions

In 2011, in partnership with Len Katzman, Howard Newman started Sigma Surfacing LLC, an intellectual properties venture. He presently holds several patents pending.[1][23]

Fine art
  • Torso #3 (Dancer), two views: Bronze with black patina and highlighted edges, height: 11", 1982
  • The Violinist and Drummer Girl: Bronze with black patina and highlighted edges, 21" and 24", 1981
  • Avant Garde: Bronze with dark patina and acrylic washes, height: 14", 1986
  • Mother and Child #1: Watercolor and ink on paper, 11" x 14", 2000–01
  • Mother and Child #5: Watercolor and ink on paper, 11" x 14"
  • Poet #1: Watercolor and ink on paper, 11" x 14", 1998
  • Machine Head: Mixed media on masonite, 36" x 42"
  • Farsight: Watercolor, charcoal and graphite, 11" x 14", 1990
  • Constellation: Acrylic on paper and Masonite, 14" x 17", 2002
  • Eye To Eye: Acrylic on paper and Masonite, 14" x 17", 2002
  • Giulia II: Bronze, length: 18", 1988 (original maquette, length: 12", 1977)
  • Torso #1: Bronze on bronze base with black granite base, 62", 1986, Newport Art Museum, Rhode Island
  • Partners: Torsos #4 & #5, cast pewter on black granite base,12.5" wide x 6" deep x 12" high, 2003
  • Winter II: Bronze with dark patina and highlighted edges, height: 23", 1990

Restorations
  • Balinese Sword, Ivory, brass, forged steel, semi-precious stones, wood.
  • English Flintlock pistol "Spencer" Steel, brass, and wood, The McBean Collection, Preservation Society of Newport County
  • Marble bust of Alexis Caswell, John Hay Library, Brown University
  • Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island
  • Candelabra, English, 19th century Silver, copper, steel and pitch
  • Bellum by Emile Louis Picault (French 1833-1915) Cast pewter, patinated copper plate
  • Decorative Column from Pequot Library, Southport, Connecticut

Inventions
  • Envelope System for Emergency and other Structures
  • Envelope System for Emergency and other Structures; Clapboards
  • Interlocking Tile System; Folding Mat

Awards
  • Marshall Scholarship
  • Fulbright Scholarship, 1961[24]
  • Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Fellowship, 1978[25]
  • American Academy of Arts and Letters Award, 1980[26]
  • American Academy in Rome Rome Prize, 1980[27]
  • AIA Connecticut Design Award Preservation Honor, 2013[28]

References
  1. Mecklenburg, Virginia M. "Search Collections." Howard Newman. Smithsonian American Art Museum, n.d. Web. 12 May 2016.
  2. RI Art Archive Project. "In The Studio: Howard Newman." Riaaproject.blogspot.com. N.p., 12 Dec. 2013. Web.
  3. Newton, Ernie. "Newport, Rhode Island’s Own Artist Howard Newman | Spring Seasons Inn & Tea Room." Spring Seasons Inn Tea Room RSS. Spring Seasons Inn, 12 May 2009. Web. 12 May 2016.
  4. The American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. 21 May. 1980: n.pag. Print.
  5. Glueck, Grace. The New York Times 4 April. 1980: n.pag. Print.
  6. Raynor, Vivien. The New York Times 26 Feb. 1982: n.pag. Print.
  7. Glaberson, Barbara. Art/World February. 1984: n.pag. Print.
  8. Genauer, Emily. "Art & the Artist." New York Post 8 Nov. 1975: n. pag. Print.
  9. Burnside, Madeleine. "Howard Newman." Art News Dec. 1977: n.pag. Print.
  10. O’Beil, Hedy. Arts Magazine June. 1980: n.pag. Print.
  11. The New Examiner Jan. 1978: n.pag. Print.
  12. The Los Angeles Times 4 Nov. 1983: n.pag. Print.
  13. Gray, Channing. The Providence Journal-Bulletin 3 Aug. 1984: n.pag. Print.
  14. Von Holten, Ragnar. Kalejdoskop Magazine 1976: n.pag. Print.
  15. Bernon, Bernadette. "The Metalsmith." Design New England Sept. 2007: n. pag. Web
  16. "Newman Restoration Exhibit Draws Supporters to New York City." Newport Gazette, Summer 2000: n. pag. Print., No 147
  17. Newmans Ltd. "Cleaning and Filling of Gaps in Historic Marble Busts." Cleaning and Filling of Gaps in Historic Marble Busts. Restoration Trades Directory, n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.
  18. Sabato, Cindy. "Built to Last." Newport Life 2008: n. pag. Print.
  19. Thompson, Chloe. "Restoring the Spirit of a Chapel at Portsmouth Abbey School." The Providence Journal n.d.: n. pag. Print.
  20. Kahn, Eve M. "Wired: Preserving the Installations of Richard Lippold." The New York Times. The New York Times, 08 Jan. 2009. Web. 12 May 2016.
  21. Warren, Quentin. "A Cross as Memorial." Faith and Form (2013): 14-15. Print.
  22. Newman, Howard. "Envelope system for solar, structural insulated panel, modular, prefabricated, emergency and other structures". Google Patents. Google Patents. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
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