Phyllis Mark

Phyllis Mark was an American modern artist (January 20, 1921 – May 23, 2004). She was a leading proponent of kinetic sculpture, rotating indoor works on motors, outdoor works by wind or water. Mark also had an enduring interest in light. She first generated light within the work itself, using small electric bulbs. Later she began to work in polished metal, creating interactions between the work, its reflections, and cast shadows. She was an early proponent of sculptural editions, first in small scale, her Sculpture-to-wear, art conceived as jewelry, later in her larger kinetic works. Throughout her career, Mark explored concepts in her art alongside pure abstraction. An important example in two dimensions is a form of picture writing that she termed Color Alphabet. In her sculptures, conceptual interests, always implicit, became increasing explicit over time. In late career she executed a number of large-scale works, photographed the work and its intended site, and "sited" the work in photomontage.[1]

  1. ^ For a concise introduction to Mark’s artistic interests in her own words, see Artist’s Statement (pg. 3) in the published catalog: Phyllis Mark. Fort Wayne, IN: Fort Wayne Museum of Art. 1979.. See also the following published vitas: Fort Wayne Museum catalog pg. 14; exhibition catalog, Refractions, Reflections. Fort Lauderdale, FL: Fort Lauderdale Museum of the Arts. 1977.; and Who's Who in American Art. New York: R. R. Bowker Publishing., editions beginning 1973.