Edward J. Sozanski

Edward J. Sozanski, a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and Columbia University, has been an art critic for 30 years, first at the Providence Journal-Bulletin and since 1982 at the Inquirer. He has also has written on cultural topics for The Economist newspaper of London.

Besides contemporary art, his particular interests are photography, American art of the 19th Century and crafted art of all periods and cultures. Before becoming a critic, he taught college-level writing and worked as a graphic designer.

Email Edward at esozanski@phillynews.com

A still from one of many videos in the exhibition “Mike’s World” at the Institute of Contemporary Art through Aug. 3. At the center is the artist, Michael Smith; he’s also on the television screen.

Art: Medium messes up Mike's message

By Edward J. Sozanski, Contributing Art Critic

Posted 05/02/2008

After seeing the brief orientation video, a six-minute sampler of what awaits in the gallery beyond, anticipation for "Mike's World" is high. The highlight piece makes the new exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art and the artist it features, Michael Smith, look appealing. As I stepped through the curtain, I expected to enjoy this show.

Art: Andrade gave soul to Op Art

Her geometric paintings have more depth than the efforts of the genre's inventor.

By Edward J. Sozanski, Contributing Art Critic

Posted 04/25/2008

The Optical Art movement - Op Art for short - didn't last more than a few years during the 1960s, and involved a relative handful of painters. Edna Andrade, who carried the Op banner in Philadelphia, lasted much longer, three months into her 92d year.

Art: Museum of Art seals Eakins deal 04/24/2008: By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

The emotionally charged saga of Thomas Eakins' iconic painting The Gross Clinic ended on a positive note yesterday when the Philadelphia Museum of Art announced that it had raised the last chunk of money needed to keep the 19th-century masterpiece in Philadelphia.
Art: 04/18/2008: By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

Edward J. Sozanski's column, "Art," does not appear this week.
Art: A less-celebrated Mexican talent 04/11/2008: By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

Juan Soriano comes to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the first exhibition of his work in a major American museum, as an adjunct to fellow Mexican Frida Kahlo, more famous than he but not necessarily more talented.
Art: With soot, spit and matchsticks, an artist made his own world 04/08/2008: By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

The Foundation for Self-Taught American Artists was founded three years ago to promote the achievements of artists who work or worked outside the mainstream art world. Some by now have become somewhat well-known within the larger art world. James Castle of Idaho (1899-1977) is one of them.
Art: Taking Botero seriously 04/04/2008: By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

Fernando Botero, who will be 76 in two weeks, caught the art world's collective eye a half-century ago, yet his art is so idiosyncratic that it continues to defy definitive analysis. I, for one, have never been able to decide whether the Colombian native is a sly and exceptionally deft satirist or a market-savvy merchandiser.
Art: If only the Whitney show were simply disappointing 03/28/2008: Biennial is both dull and chaotic

By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

NEW YORK - Disappointment lies at the heart of every Whitney Biennial. Visitors and critics often pronounce each edition of the series disappointing, for not living up to expectations. Yet this attitude is unreasonable, because one never knows what to expect.
Art: National Geographic exhibition gets the picture 03/21/2008: By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

Illustration has long been an art-world stepchild, not only because it's regarded as "commercial" but because it allegedly lacks the elevated spiritual qualities inherent in "high art." To be branded as an "illustrator" is to be relegated to art's B team.
Art: 03/14/2008: By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

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Art: Stretching 'fiber' to the max 03/14/2008: By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

FiberPhiladelphia commentary, short form, with deepest apologies to William Blake: Fyber, Fyber shining bright/Watch the weavers taking flight./Their creations can impress/Even when they're fyber-less.
Art: 03/14/2008: By Edward J. Sozanski , Contributing Art Critic

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