Arthur “Art” Green, a founding member of the renowned art group Hairy Who?, passed away at the age of 83 on April 14th. Green, who made a significant impact on the Chicago art scene in the 1960s, not only leaves behind a remarkable body of work that showcased his ability to challenge the ordinary but also a distinguished career as a fine arts professor spanning nearly four decades, predominantly at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. The sad news of his passing was confirmed by the Garth Greenan gallery in New York, which has been representing the artist since 2012.
Born in 1941 in Frankfort, Indiana, Green grew up in a family with a civil engineer father employed by the Nickel Plate Road and a mother known for her talent in patchwork quilting. Despite his early interest in drawing, Green did not fully immerse himself in the visual arts until high school when he visited his first art museum. Initially drawn to microbiology, Green’s passion shifted towards graphic design after being inspired by a new art teacher and his father’s letterpress machine at home.
Green’s journey led him to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 1961, where he was mentored by influential artists like Ray Yoshida and Whitney Halstead. It was at SAIC that Green formed close bonds with fellow artists Jim Falconer, Gladys Nilsson, Jim Nutt, Karl Wirsum, and Suellen Rocca, collectively known as the Hairy Who? The group, mentored by Yoshida and Halstead, exhibited a distinctive style that combined bold, graphic, and cartoonish elements, reflecting the turbulent social climate of the time.
The Hairy Who? group’s first exhibition in 1966 at the Hyde Park Art Center marked the beginning of a groundbreaking artistic movement that challenged conventional norms through provocative and humorous art. Green’s work, in particular, displayed a unique blend of Surrealism, vibrant abstraction, and op art elements, characterized by his meticulous rendering of everyday objects with bold colors and intricate patterns.
After the dissolution of Hairy Who? in 1969, Green continued to push artistic boundaries, delving into themes of perspective, dimensionality, and optical illusions in his work. His artistry, often featuring recurring motifs like ice cream cones, tires, and wood grain, showcased his mastery in creating visually engaging compositions that played with perception and depth.
In 1977, Green and his wife Natalie Novotny relocated to Canada, where he embarked on a distinguished teaching career at the University of Waterloo, eventually serving as the chair of the Fine Arts department. Throughout his illustrious career, Green held 29 solo exhibitions, with his work being featured in prestigious collections worldwide.
Art Green’s legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, and a vast artistic community that was deeply influenced by his innovative approach to art. His contributions to the art world will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for generations to come.
