Michael Frary

Michael Frary (May 28, 1918 – August 30, 2005) was an American Modernist artist from Santa Monica, California, who was known for his interest in structural forms and architectural compositions, as well as for his Surrealist impulses. A versatile artist, Frary experimented with a range of mediums and constantly refined his approach to his subjects.

Early Life and Career

Frary graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1934 and was awarded an athletic scholarship from the University of Southern California (USC). During his time at USC, he became a champion swimmer and captain of the school’s water polo team. In 1940, he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree. He obtained his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting the following year. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Frary joined the United States Navy. He was discharged as a Lieutenant when the war concluded in 1945 and returned to California. [1] Frary subsequently worked as an assistant art director for Goldwyn Studios, Paramount, and Universal Studios. As a member of the Society of Motion Picture Art Directors from 1946 – 1949 Frary assisted with the design of backdrops for films directed by Hollywood luminaries like Orson Welles. He began to teach night classes in painting at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and was soon offered a full-time teaching position at the school. While teaching at UCLA, Frary also taught at Los Angeles City College and the Chouinard Art Institute.

Texas Modernist Period

In 1949, Michael relocated from California to Texas, after accepting the position of faculty chair at the Marion Kooger McNay Museum in San Antonio. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Frary continued his studies, taking classes at the Chicago Art Institute and at L’ Académie de La Chaudière in Paris.[2] These experiences gave him an appreciation for the forward-thinking work being produced by the European and American Modernists. Frary taught at the McNay Museum until 1952 and, while there, met Lola Marguerite Finch Mathewson “Peggy” Frary, whom he married in 1950.[3]

When Frary was offered an assistant professor position at the University of Texas at Austin, he and his wife moved to a contemporary house in the northwest hills of Austin. They would remain there for the next five decades. Peggy Frary, who had a flair for entertaining, turned the home into a gathering place for Austin’s burgeoning arts community.[4] Frary was named professor of Art in 1970 and, upon his retirement in 1986, was named Professor Emeritus of Art.

Frary's legacy as a seminal Texas Modernist rests of his achievements during his early years at the University of Texas, when he worked alongside notables like Charles Umlauf, Everett Spruce, Ralph White, Kelly Fearing, William Lester, and Loren Mozley to promote Modernism in Texas. Frary and his compatriots helped usher Texas out of its artistic conservatism and into the national and international mainstream.[5]

Frary continued to paint and exhibit[6] his work until his death in 2005.

Select Solo Exhibitions

During his career Frary received over one hundred seventy-five awards and purchase prizes and participated in over 200 one-man exhibitions.[7]

1954

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

College, San Angelo, Texas 1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1970

1971

1973

1975

1977

1979

1984

Select Museums and Public Collections

References

  1. ↑ "Biography for Michael Frary". Askart Biography. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Exhibition Catalog for Michael Frary's "In Sight".
  3. ↑ "Lola Marguerite Finch Mathewson "Peggy" FRARY". Austin American Statesman. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "Lola Marguerite Finch Mathewson "Peggy" FRARY". Austin American Statesman. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "Michael Frary: In Memoriam". The Austin Chronicle. 9 September 2005. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  6. ↑ Exhibition Catalog for Michael Frary's "In Sight".
  7. ↑ "Michael Frary". Rockport Center for the Arts. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
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