Mark di Suvero: A Life in Abstract Sculpture Early Life and Origins Born: September 18, 1933, Shanghai, China. Family Background: Di Suvero was born to Matilde Millo di Suvero and Vittorio di Suvero (later Victor E.), both Italian of Sephardic Jewish descent. His father served as a U.S. Navy attaché. The family relocated from Shanghai to Tientsin in 1936, facing increasing political instability. Immigration to the US: In February 1941, amidst the outbreak of World War II, the di Suvero family immigrated to San Francisco aboard the S.S. President Cleveland, escaping potential persecu…