Barbara Chase-Riboud

Barbara Chase-Riboud is indeed a remarkable figure in the world of art and literature. Born on June 26, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she displayed her artistic talents from a young age. After attending Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, she embarked on a journey that would take her across continents and disciplines.

Chase-Riboud’s multidisciplinary approach to art, which encompasses sculpture, drawing, writing, and poetry, has garnered critical acclaim but has also, unfortunately, led to her being somewhat overlooked in certain spheres of the art world. However, her inclusion in the Icon Series, particularly with her work “Cleopatra’s Cape,” serves to rectify this oversight and bring attention to her significant contributions.

One of Chase-Riboud’s notable achievements was receiving a fellowship to study at the American Academy in Rome, where she honed her skills and developed her artistic voice. Later, she established a studio in Paris, further immersing herself in the rich cultural milieu of Europe.

Despite challenges and the lack of widespread recognition early in her career, Chase-Riboud’s perseverance and dedication to her craft eventually led to her work gaining greater visibility. Her inclusion in the 1974 FOCUS exhibition was a significant milestone, but it’s only recently that her work has begun to receive the attention and appreciation it deserves.

In summary, Barbara Chase-Riboud’s journey from Philadelphia to Rome and Paris, her exploration of various artistic mediums, and her commitment to challenging the status quo in the art world make her a truly iconic figure deserving of recognition and celebration.

Her work has been included in collections and exhibitions at countless institutions including:

The Carnegie Hall Gallery

Museum of Modern Art.

American Academy in Rome

Galleria L’Obelisco

MOMA Paris

Galerie Cadran Solaire

Wheaton Plaza in Wheaton, Maryland.

Betty Parsons Gallery

African Burial Ground National Monument in Lower Manhattan

Ted Weiss Federal Building

Whitney Museum of Modern Art

Newark Museum

Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Iran

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Berkeley Art Museum

Woodmere Art Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Museum of Modern Art, New York City

Centre Pompidou, Paris

Geigy Foundation, New York

Lannan Foundation, Los Angeles