Albert Kotin

Albert Kotin (1907-1980) belonged to the early generation of New York School abstract expressionist artists whose artistic innovation by the 1950s had been recognized across the Atlantic including Paris. New York School abstract expressionism— represented by Jackson Pollock, Willem De Kooning, Franz Kline, and others— became the leading art movement of the post-World War II area.

Albert Kotin was among the 24 artists from the total of 256 participants who were included in the famous 9th St. Art Exhibition, (1951) and in all the following New York Painting and Sculpture Annuals from 1953 to 1957. These Annuals were important because the participants were chosen by the artists themselves.

Alexander Calder wrote in 1968: As long as there are people such as Al Kotin, there is no danger to art.

Biography

Albert Kotin was born August 7, 1907 in Minsk, Russia. He emigrated to USA in 1908. He became US Citizen in 1923. Albert Kotin died February 6, 1980 in New York City.

He Studied

• 1924-1929: National Academy of Design with Charles Hawthorne, Provincetown, MA;
• 1929-32: Academie Julian, Academie de la Grande Chaumiere, Atelier de Fresque and Colarossi,Paris;
• 1947-1951: Arst Students League of New York, NYC; with Hans Hofmann in Provincetown, MA, and in New York City.

During the depression Albert Kotin participated in the creation of New Deal Post Office Murals. Patricia Raynor, described the era:

Often mistaken for WPA art, post office murals were actually executed by artists working for the Section of Fine Arts. Commonly known as "the Section," it was established in 1934 and administered by the Procurement Division of the Treasury Department. Headed by Edward Bruce, a former lawyer, businessman, and artist, the Section's main function was to select art of high quality to decorate public buildings if the funding was available. By providing decoration in public buildings, the art was made accessible to all people.

Albert Kotin participated in the Federal Art Projects, Public Works of Art Project (PWAP): 1933-34.

He also participated in the Works Progress Administration, Federal Art Project (WPA/FAP) 1935-40

Albert Kotin won competitions for Post Office Murals in Ada, Ohio and in Arlington, New Jersey

Albert Kotin took part in World War II Military Service. He served 1941-1945 in the US Army Engineering School.

Albert Kotin held a number of teaching positions:

• 1947-51: City College, NYC, NY;
• 1952-61: Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn, NY;
• 1961: Visiting Professor in Art, Southern Illinois University;
• 1964-65: Stout State University; Menomonee, WI;
• 1966-1975: Long Island University, NY.

References

• Smithsonian Institution Research Information System; Archival, Manuscript and Photographic Collections, Albert Kotin