Mary Frank

Mary Frank, born on February 4, 1933, is a multifaceted English visual artist celebrated for her contributions as a sculptor, painter, printmaker, draftswoman, and illustrator.

Biography of Mary Frank

Born in London to Eleanore Lockspeiser, an American painter, and Edward Lockspeiser, an English musicologist and art critic, Mary's early years were shaped by the tumult of World War II. In 1939, she relocated to Brooklyn, New York, under the care of her maternal grandparents. Her artistic journey began with studies in modern dance under Martha Graham and admission to the High School of Music & Art in 1947.

During her high school years, she encountered Robert Frank, a Swiss photographer. They married in 1950.

Mary Frank's artistic prowess became evident when she exhibited her drawings at the Poindexter Gallery in 1958. A pivotal moment came in 1969 when she joined the Zabriskie Gallery and delved into clay sculpture, inspired by Margaret Ponce Israel's work. The same year, she illustrated Joan Lebols Cohen's children's book, "Buddha."

Her career spans over five decades, marked by self-taught ingenuity. She garnered recognition with prestigious awards, including the Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship Awards in 1973 and 1983, the Lee Krasner Award of the Pollock-Krasner Foundation in 1993, and the Joan Mitchell Grant Award in 1995.

Presently residing and working in Lake Hill and New York City, Frank has been married to Leo Treitler, a pianist and music scholar, since 1995.