Early Life and Education
Alice Baber (August 22, 1928 – October 2, 1982) was born in Charleston, Illinois. Her family traveled south to Florida during the winters at a doctor’s suggestion because of Alice's poor health—a formative experience that instilled in her lifelong fascination with landscapes and the expressive power of color and light. From an early age, Baber demonstrated a passion for art, remembering around age five she decided she would either be a “poet or painter.” At age eight, she was formally studying drawing and by age twelve became “so advanced she was enrolled in a college-level class.” She attended Lindenwood College for Women in Missouri for two years before transferring to Indiana University. At IU Bloomington she studied under Alton Pickens and earned her Master of Arts degree in 1951. Her early artistic explorations were shaped by the figurative expressionist style of Pickens, who instilled in her a deep appreciation for capturing emotion through form and color.
Career Development and Artistic Style
Baber began her career working primarily in oil paints but soon experimented with watercolor, initiating a stylistic shift that would define her oeuvre. Her breakthrough came in 1958 when she had her first solo exhibition at March Gallery in New York City—a pivotal moment fueled by her relocation to Paris and engagement with the École du Pacifique, where she befriended fellow artists Sam Francis, Joan Mitchell, Shirley Jaffe, and others. Baber’s artistic style is characterized by a fascination for color surfaces and an exploration of movement and luminosity. She famously described her approach to painting as seeking “a way to get the light moving across the whole thing,” referencing her work on Battle of the Oranges—a piece born from a series of still-life paintings filled with circular shapes of fruit. Baber’s signature technique involved diluting oil paint and applying it in layers using fine linen cloths, allowing for subtle shifts in color and texture.
Travels and Influences
Baber's wanderlust profoundly impacted her artistic vision. She traveled extensively throughout Europe during the 1950s and 60s, immersing herself in diverse cultures and absorbing influences from artists like Paul Jenkins—another American expatriate who shared her passion for abstraction and Southeast Asian art. Baber married Jenkins in 1964, embarking on a journey together that included a visit to Japan during which they exhibited their work at the Osaka Pinacotheca Museum. Her interest in Japanese aesthetics—particularly its emphasis on simplicity and harmony—became an enduring element of her artistic sensibility.
Recognition and Legacy
Baber’s commitment to feminist art advocacy gained prominence in the 1970s, culminating in the organization of “Women Choose Women,” a landmark exhibition showcasing female artists. She championed visibility for women's voices in the art world and served as trustee of the Women’s Interart Center in New York City. Throughout her career, Baber exhibited internationally—including India, Iran, and thirteen Latin American countries—receiving support from the U.S. State Department during a four-month tour. Her work is celebrated for its ethereal beauty and luminous color palettes, reflecting her belief that art could express not just color but also the feeling of color moving through space. Today, Baber’s paintings are housed in major museums across the globe—including The Guggenheim Museum, The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Museum of Modern Art—solidifying her place as a significant figure in 20th-century abstract expressionism.
Notable Achievements
Alice Baber’s artistic achievements include her pioneering exploration of color surfaces and her masterful technique of “staining” oil paint—a method that resulted in organic forms imbued with subtle movement and luminosity. Her work was recognized for its emotional depth and visual poetry, earning acclaim from critics and collectors alike. Furthermore, Baber's dedication to promoting women’s artistic contributions ensured a lasting legacy as an advocate for gender equality within the art community.
