The Last Art Heroine - a short documentary film

As the sole female survivor of the now famed 1950’s NY Abstract Expressionist art period, the esteemed artist Audrey Flack, 90, reminisces what it was like then - upon entering a musuem exhibit featuring works by the most acclaimed women artists of that era. (The Heroines of Abstract Expressionism at the Nassau County Museum of Art).
As an aspiring artist emerging into that glamorous, vibrant yet raucous NY School downtown art scene, 70 years ago, she divulges the challenges female artist faced in a male dominated art world.
Revealing tabloid worthy tales about the era’s art legends, Flack critics and compares the works on display by her colleagues, and her own, with an insider eye that only a fellow artist can.
Divulging stories about her long time friendships with various artists displayed, she is the last female artist standing today that can provide “an inner circle“ perspective of that historic art period, that still today compels young artists and savvy art collectors to flock to NYC to seek its fumes.

[@laurabeatty7407]

Why did this interview touch me to tears? Thankyou Ms. Flack and Mr. Friedman for bringing to light with such respect the journey of the feminine in art. Art historian Linda Nochlin titled her essay...Why have there been no great women artists? And here we are in 2022 still living within this imbalance of respect.

[@ziraprod6090]

What a bunch of BS.

[@KM-mv1ho]

Legend! When you know you know.

[@Papin47]

Audrey Flack, designated survivor Abstract Expressionist and further proof that the art world is a bastion of shameless misogyny. Thank you for your staying power and representing your peers, Ms. Flack! Btw, Looking fantastic at 90! 💙

[@CoachAdamRuns]

Wonderful. Thank You.

[@mariapilarme]

Abstract Expressionism it may be American movement but many were Europeans that left Europe after the war. De Kooning, for example. Many architects Europeans also left Europe and move to US. Like Van der Rohe who designed the Seagram’s building in Park Avenue. It’s one time in Art History that many European artists immigrate to US And made that movement so rich and interesting.

[@ivoted-5489]

This was beautifully done. Thank you!

[@alaindezii4445]

So overlooked and such a shame...great talents all of them.

[@karenlavigne1108]

I’am so happy to come across this video. I am presently reading “Ninth Street Women” a new book with a wealth of information on women artists!

[@bobb1870]

Such a national treasure.

[@unclejake154]

Flack's story was wonderful. Thank you.

[@lukejackson4964]

My dad, hear Harry Jackson, was one of these AbEx artists as well and was actually at one time, briefly, even married to Grace Hartigan. I’ve always loved hartigan’s work. And Joan Mitchell’s too! But I’ve never heard of Audrey flack until now. I like her work from what I can see her and will research her stuff more now

[@suzannedesylva3805]

Beautiful presentation

[@sararichardson737]

Fabulous painter. Thank you so much for introducing her work to us.

[@lauraswan8647]

The best art period

[@robert-jeanray2701]

Well done. Thank you.

[@sharonjack8582]

Excellent video. Audrey is an amazing speaker. Great artist too. Such an enriching video. Thank you!!😊

[@trenaoelschlager3981]

Loved this video... Loved hearing about the NY School Era! Too bad a lot of TROLLS made nasty comments.....NOTHING EXCITES ME LIKE ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM! I don't want to paint like a photograph taken on my phone. Abstract comes from the subconscious....comes from the soul!

[@SuryaFitriadi]

Very beautiful

[@mathstar4176]

Soul Survivor Audrey Flack!!!

[@73kdt]

What an absolute treat! I’m a huge, huge fan of these female artists and love there work. Thank You

[@shardanette1]

Thanks so much for this. Great to see some of the women of the period getting their due lately. And at least one of them is still around to see it and tell us what it was really like.

[@mathstar4176]

She is fabulous !!

[@kaitlinmeadows6273]

Amazing energy and pioneering era!

[@atul.p.marwah5124]

Being a Gallerist myself, i can relate to each and every word spoken here !

[@agatarek_official]

❤❤ thank you ❤

[@mathstar4176]

Ms Audrey Flack, the Soul Survivor ( Rolling Stones )of the American Abstract Expressionist Movement, gives us a deep insight to that period of Art hisrory. She thought Jackson Pollack was too old for her and said NO to his advances but she introduced him to another woman. Jackson Pollack had a thing going with Ruth thanks to Audrey. Yeahhhh !!!!😂

[@kaplanichcoc9909]

Maravilloso ❤❤

[@ericswain4177]

Extraordinary Art by women, I was pleased by Audrey Flack's frankness in the interview. At least a third of my modest art collection is female artists. Thoe I do not condone gender inequality we should consider the who and why and trend of the art of the day as well as now. As Audrey Flack admitted that female artists would disguise their names as well as emulate male artist style mannerisms Etc... in their artwork, this shows exactly what the market wanted not necessarily from the female perspective but what was considered the male. When I collect art, gender Etc... is the furthest thing from my mind.

[@mr.goodpliers6988]

Fantastic work here

[@jamespkinsella5018]

Just amazing!

[@robertdemitro1520]

She is absolutely correct , when your creating art , its thrilling and there the highs and some lows . But I know I could hardly wait to get into my studio and paint , sculpture and use all kinds of mediums . I would look at the time and 12 hours went by and I didn't even feel it . When working with other artists , we could teach other different things . You can never know it all . I have the academic background and the st history and fine art experience . Artists I was very good friends with would come over and give their healthy criticism , would have a technique that made the piece just right , it could be something very small or using a certain product to preserve the lives on certain surfaces . My art school was at a university and my prodfessors , one in particular taught us over one year on a daily basis life drawing , sculpture , abstract , impressionist , oil , acrylic, casting moulds , and much more . In the first class before anything started , she us a list of supplies we would need , gave us her expectations , course outline , what the her course would entail . People slowly got up and walked out and transferred to the morning class , which I was told was a walk in tne park . I learned so much in those 2 semester classes . There other professors that didn't do much of anything and they were top in their areas . Having a studio is the best thing , but not everyone can have a studio .

[@suzanneolson1628]

Beautiful and touching. Thank you!

[@garywilloughby6893]

I love her work!

[@charmerci]

In other words, they gave her flack for making an A. Flack!

[@gertvloknel4809]

beautiful

[@KpxUrz5745]

It is interesting to hear the personal stories and memories, but now having looked at the works in this collection, I must say that very little of it strikes me as top quality art. I can see collecting it to document that period, but do not consider it a top notch collection. I heard Flack drop the name Gorky. Now if this collection contained a Gorky, I would have to be much more impressed.

[@louisepotier2784]

❤

[@manoh_scoob]

🎨♥️

[@denisecope]

Thank you for this great video! Do you know the artist who made the yellow metal sculpture shown in the introduction?

[@beyond_horizon_8]

Where iw that collection? Can we view it? Thank u for sharing

[@elainefell7943]

That was very interesting. It's a tragedy that the women didn't have the strength to follow their own desires in art and often painted what they were bullied into painting because it was the fashion. But when she says that art is not exciting now -I don't believe that's true.

[@cate1657]

Yes, the tragedy is certainly present for most of the women painters of the abstract expressionism movement of the 1950s; the problem was that to get a show in a gallery (and thereby to gain recognition & a little cash) one had to adhere to certain "art principles" that were only set by male painters--so, the women painters did try doing their own work in certain "styles".

[@PaulaRodriguesdeSPaula]

What is the name of the blue painting behind the musition at the end?

[@unconditionalfreedom]

the absurdity and control of art by the rich that's what this is about. And the bigger thing that it's about is how absurd and ridiculous it is that people don't recognize artist now but remember the dead ones what the heck is that?

[@annekstrom3930]

There have been major shows for many of the female abstract expressionists in the last couple of decades. The idea that women had to make men's art still persisted into my art school days in the 70s.

[@nerdnam]

Hell of a lady.

[@julieking4304]

4:40 i have not the education to see any thing beyond scribbles

[@Ger4rds]

And after this video the price of the artwork will soar in auction, good job capitalism.

[@davidchristian5670]

With the exception of Joan Mitchell and Louise Nevelson, all of the female Abstract Expressionists were at best, second rate , and derivative of the male Abstract Expressionists D. Christian

[@maryf6284]

Just hating the gossipy remarks about artists’ sex lives and attractiveness of female artists. So sad they felt compelled to conform to some ‘masculine’ paradigm, outside of what might have felt true to them.

[@mesolithicman164]

Her art is bang average, to be honest.

[@janedoe1790]

Used car sales men

[@Philip-bk2dm]

Back then you could afford to be poor.

[@esser7678]

Anti beautiful, Egocentric and Elitist

[@latetodagame1892]

Can you stop talking about your own work?

[@redangrybird7564]

Hopefully the end of this kind of garbage called "art"

[@pidginmac]

“Last”? 😂😅🥹🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🥳

[@cravenmoorehead7099]

Ridiculous

[@ams9449]

disgusting. 4YO level of """"""art"""""".