Charles Keller Workshop of Graphic Art Papers
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Abstract
Charles Keller (1914-2006) was a painter and graphic artist who was a leading figure in the Workshop of Graphic Art.The collection includes internal papers, by-laws, correspondence, and prospectus of the Workshop of Graphic Art as well as many graphically adorned leaflets and fliers on a range of issues including peace, the Henry Wallace presidential campaign of 1948, China, and the Mundt-Nixon bill. Some of the prominent artists associated with this collection include Rockwell Kent, Jacob Lawrence, Ad Reinhardt, and Antonio Frasconi.
Historical/Biographical Note
Charles Keller (1914-2006) was a painter and graphic artist who was a leading figure in the Workshop of Graphic Art. Based in New York City, the Workshop of Graphic Art produced many artworks and illustrations for leftist organizations in the 1940s and 1950s. Keller graduated from Cornell University in 1936 and studied at the Art Students League in the 1930s. He designed the exhibition "Airways to Peace" at the Museum of Modern Art during World War II and has been exhibited internationally with over 20 one-person shows. His career as a cartoonist began during his position as Art Editor of the New Masses in 1945 and lasted until 1988 for the People's Daily World. In addition, Keller was a founder of the art department of the Reference Center for Marxist Studies founded in 1980.
Scope and Contents
The collection includes internal papers, by-laws, correspondence, and prospectus of the Workshop of Graphic Art as well as many graphically adorned leaflets and fliers on a range of issues including peace, the Henry Wallace presidential campaign of 1948, China, and the Mundt-Nixon bill. The collection also includes letterhead work for various leftist organizations, many associated with the Communist Party, USA. The collection also holds the portfolio "Yes, People!" published by the Workshop of Graphic Art which contains 12 loose leaves of artwork by artists such as Irving Amen, Antonio Frasconi, and Charles White. In the same folder is a photograph of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn with Mike Gold. Some of the prominent artists associated with this collection include Rockwell Kent, Jacob Lawrence, Ad Reinhardt, and Antonio Frasconi.
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Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive has no information about copyright ownership for this collection and is not authorized to grant permission to publish or reproduce materials from it. Materials in this collection, which were created in circa 1940s-1950s, are expected to enter the public domain in 2075.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Charles Keller Workshop of Graphic Art Papers; TAM 445; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials found in collection; provenance is unknown. Accession numbers associated with this collection are 1950.256 and 2018.005.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Some original artwork and prints, separated from the original collection, were reintegrated January 2018.
