Joseph Cornell

Joseph Cornell was an influential American artist and filmmaker who was known for his unique style of assemblage art. He was self-taught and incorporated discarded objects into his works, influenced by the Surrealists. Cornell lived most of his life caring for his mother and disabled brother in isolation, but he remained connected with other artists.

He had several major museum retrospectives throughout his career, including exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Royal Academy of Arts. In 1972, he even arranged a special exhibition for children at Cooper Union, displaying his boxes at child height and serving soft drinks and cake at the opening party. Cornell's impact on the art world continues to be felt today.