Art critic, educator, and photographer Max Kozloff passed away at the age of 91 on April 6 at his home in New York City. He had been battling Parkinson’s disease for over a decade, as shared in an Instagram post by his spouse, artist Joyce Kozloff.
Kozloff was a significant figure in 20th-century art criticism, known for his groundbreaking essay “American Painting During the Cold War” (1973), where he explored the relationship between Abstract Expressionism and American global dominance. His writing was deeply informed by his own photography and painting practices, and he authored over a dozen books covering both historic and contemporary art. Kozloff held editorial positions at publications like the Nation and Artforum, and he played a key role in developing the master’s program in photography at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in Manhattan.
Born in Chicago in 1933 to Jewish parents of Eastern European descent, Kozloff developed an early love for art thanks to his father, who often took him to the Art Institute of Chicago. He went on to study art history at the University of Chicago and later pursued graduate studies at New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts. In 1967, he met Joyce, his life partner, and the two married in 1967, remaining together for 58 years.
During the 1960s, Kozloff’s career in art criticism took off, with notable positions at the Nation and Artforum. He later shifted his focus to photography, publishing works like “Photography and Fascination” (1979) and joining the faculty at SVA in 1989 to teach in the photography graduate program.
Known for his vibrant and colorful photographs capturing scenes of people and movement, Kozloff’s work was showcased in numerous solo and group exhibitions. His preference for color in photography was evident throughout his career, as he never produced a black-and-white photograph. One of his final photography exhibitions in 2015 at Steven Kasher Gallery featured intimate portraits of his friends, many of whom were artists and writers, in their homes.
Max Kozloff’s legacy as a pioneering art critic, educator, and photographer lives on through his influential writing and captivating visual work. His contributions to the art world continue to inspire and shape the way we perceive and engage with art today.
