Hesse, Eva (1936-1970), was a German-born American sculptor known for her highly personal abstract works. Hesse’s career as a sculptor lasted less than six years before she died of a brain tumor at the age of 34. But her work established her as one of the most significant artists of her time. Hesse gained special recognition for her creative use of a variety of materials, including fiberglass, wood, rope, string, wire, fabrics, and latex.
Hesse has sometimes been called a Minimalist because her style often features the limited use of color as well as the repetition of forms. However, her sculptures strive for a much more emotional response from viewers than a typical Minimalist work (see Minimalism ). Several of Hesse’s sculptures are large ladderlike structures. One of her best-known works is Hang Up (1965-1966), which consists of painted cloth wrapped over a wood frame. A thin loop of steel tube projects from the top and bottom of the frame. Her work is associated with Process Art, an artistic movement that refers to the actual “process” of making a piece of art and how the materials in the piece would change over time.
Hesse was born on Jan. 11, 1936, in Hamburg, Germany. Hesse and her family, who were Jewish, fled Germany to escape the Nazis and settled in New York City in 1939. She became a United States citizen in 1945. Hesse studied at several art schools in New York City and then attended the Yale University School of Art and Architecture, where she studied under the noted German-born painter Josef Albers. Hesse graduated from Yale in 1959. She first concentrated on painting, especially self-portraits, and drawing, before turning to sculpture in 1964. Hesse died on May 29, 1970.
