Sonia Delaunay: A Modern Language of Color

Sonia Delaunay was an avant-garde artist who spent her life experimenting with the language of color and abstraction. She developed a varied practice, giving equal weight to design and fine art.  While remaining faithful to abstract painting, she created innovative designs in typography and textile prints.  She crafted handmade garments and ready-to-wear fashion and designed costumes for theater, ballet, and film.  She also created tapestries and mosaics as well as cutting edge interior designs.  Born Sara Stern in a Ukrainian shtetl in 1885, she became a crucial presence in the artistic and intellectual Zeitgeist of 20th century Paris.

Presented by:  Janet Mandel taught in New Jersey’s public schools for 32 years, the last eighteen of which were at Columbia High School in Maplewood, where she taught English, art history, and World Languages and Cultures. In October of 2003 she was named runner-up for the New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH) Teacher of the Year award and was formally recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature and Governor Codey for this achievement. In May of 2004 she was the recipient of the “Innovations in Special Education Award” from the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) and the Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped (ASAH). Now retired, Janet presents illustrated talks on a variety of art history topics at adult schools, libraries, museums, senior centers, community centers, and similar venues.