Frank Roth

American (1936 - )

American abstract painter, born in Boston in 1936. Moved in 1954 to New York, where he studied first at the Cooper Union Art School and then in 1955 at Hans Hofmann's school. First one-man exhibition at the Artists' Gallery, New York, 1958. Began by painting in a romantic Abstract Expressionist style, with large, loose-edged patches of colour, then developed a more restless, active treatment with loops, intercepted lines and torn shapes.

Travelled in Europe and Mexico, then returned to New York, where he has taught since 1963 at the School of Visual Arts. Received various awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship 1964; Ford Foundation Artist-in-Residence at Rhode Island University 1966.

By 1965 had begun to paint geometrically precise compositions containing somewhat Surreal forms suggesting car or aeroplane parts, tensely balanced in what could be a bright, clear sky. In the late 1960s reverted to a more abstract and delicate style, leading to works with a profusion of small forms floating in front of a background dappled with light and shade. Now lives in East Hampton, New York.