A Journey through America with Robert Freimark

What is the visual identity—the spirit—of an American state, and how can an artist communicate that essence through abstraction?

The Fifty States series was completed under the aegis of a California State Colleges Special Creative Leave and was based on impressions and observations gleaned from Freimark’s personal sojourn to each state, in which the artist drew firsthand inspiration from each territory’s distinct vibe. The artist sought to connect each state’s geographical singularities with their deeper historical contexts, suggesting that each print was intended as a synthesis of both physical place and cultural identity rather than a literal scene.

 In the 1970s, Freimark exhibited the works featured in this exhibition throughout Europe while on sabbatical with his wife and daughter. The series became the official US bicentennial offering at the 1976 opening of the Amerika Haus in Munich and has since been shown worldwide.

The artist’s experiences of war had a profound effect on him and the direction of his artwork. “I spent seven years of my life in the United States Navy, including all of World War II. I was on the ship with the best firing record throughout the war, where I was a pointer on a forty millimeter quad. The pointer is the man who aims and fires the guns. I was in 56 engagements with the Japanese. I came out of the experience disillusioned by the intelligence of our Naval officers, and totally against all war. As an artist, it is one of my commitments to relay this experience to my fellow citizens.”

ABout the Artist

Robert Freimark

American artist Robert Freimark (1922–2010) was a true West Coast abstract expressionist, was born in Michigan during a time of remarkable creative ferment and experimentation, leading him to explore a range of artistic mediums, including painting, watercolor, drawing, print media, tapestry, and sculpture. Like many artists of his day, Freimark’s work was interrupted by World War II, where he served for seven years. Upon his return, he attended the University of Toledo on a GI bill. He earned his MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art, studying architecture under Eliel Saarinen and sculpture with Carl Milles. He also lectured around the world, was a visiting professor at Harvard University from 1972-73, and spent 22 years teaching at San Jose State University.

Freimark drew inspiration from his early life
in Michigan and Ohio, the residency programs he participated in in Iowa and the Midwest, his extensive travels throughout Mexico, and his studio practice in California. Each of these experiences informed his unique approach to his artistic practice. Freimark’s work was included in over 250 solo exhibitions and has been collected globally.

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