Barbara Nessim: An Artful Life presents the work of the pioneering American artist and designer Barbara Nessim, from the 1960s to the present day. Nessim’s distinctive illustrations have appeared on the covers of many major American publications, including Time, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times Magazine. Her work ranges from provocative prints, drawings, and paintings that represent her feminist views, to advertising campaigns for companies such as Levi’s and Ralph Lauren. She employs a wide variety of techniques, including line drawing, watercolor, printmaking, photography, and collage. In addition, she was one of the first professional illustrators to make extensive use of the computer as an artistic tool.
Barbara Nessim is accompanied by this interactive, which allows visitors to further explore a range of Nessim’s projects referenced in the exhibition. By clicking on each image, visitors can listen to an audio recording of Nessim, explaining her process of working and relating detailed background information for some of her most significant works and series.
Holding Prize
From the series Man and Machine
1960
Monotype etching
Victoria and Albert Museum, E.3-2013