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Known for her vibrant, larger-than-life sculptures, Dorothy Gillespie carved a niche for herself as an influential American artist of the 20th century. A new documentary debuts this year, “Dorothy Gillespie: Courage, Independence, and Color” created by the Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation, led by her son and foundation president, Gary Israel and Jay Scala and Crystal White of White Ladder Productions. One of the documentary’s featured narrators is artist and curator, Lisa D’Amico PhD.

Born in Roanoke, Virginia, Dorothy Gillespie showed an early aptitude for the arts. Her early works evolved into abstract expressionism, capturing the essence of movement and emotion. However, it was her transition to three-dimensional art that truly set her apart. Gillespie’s large-scale, outdoor sculptures became her signature style, attracting attention and accolades from the art world.

Her sculptures, often constructed from aluminum featured curled, bold geometric shapes and vivid, intricate patterns. The use of vibrant colors added a sense of whimsy and playfulness to her pieces, further engaging viewers and inviting them to interact with the artwork. Gillespie’s sculptures were not mere static objects but rather dynamic, kinetic pieces that animated the spaces they inhabited.

In addition to her artistic prowess, Gillespie was a trailblazer for women in the art world. She helped to establish the Women’s Interact Center in New York City as well as curating exhibitions for women’s art, writing articles and hosting her own radio program. In an era dominated by male artists, she shattered the glass ceiling, never compromising on her artistic vision.

Dorothy Gillespie passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. Through the lens of her new documentary, “Dorothy Gillespie: Courage, Independence, and Color” the viewer will witness a pioneer who fearlessly pushed artistic boundaries while paving the way for women artists everywhere. For updates, please sign up for the newsletter: www.dorothygillespie.com

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Photo Credit: Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation