1908

Born on September 22 in Chelyabinsk, Siberia to Itta L’Vovna Agranovich Slobodkina, a dressmaker, and Solomon Aronovich Slobodkin, manager of MAZUT, the town's oil yard. Youngest of five children.

1914

Illness and sudden death of oldest brother, Yasha.

1915

Family moved to Ufa, Russia when father received a promotion.

1917

Revolution and beginning of Russian Civil War.

1918

Inspired by an exhibition of David Burliuk’s Cubo-Futurist paintings in Ufa

1919

As the war escalated and conditions in Ufa worsened, the family fled to Vladivostok, a harbor city in eastern Russia, via the Trans-Siberian Express. Living as refugees, the Slobodkin family became impoverished and struggled for survival.

1921

Desperate to make money, Slobodkina, along with mother and sister, moved to Harbin, Manchuria. Mother's establishment of dressmaking salon.

1922

Family reunited in Harbin. Slobodkina entered a co-ed junior high school (IInd Realnoye Uchilische) that stressed mathematics and art. Aspiration to become an architect.

Private art tutoring from the impressionist painter Pavel Goost.

Designed embroidery for mother's dress­making salon.

Fell ill with the measles and spent six weeks in quarantine.

1923

Emigration of brother Ronya to America.

1924

Transferred to the Kommercheskoye Uchilische, a school oriented toward business. Graduated in 1927.

1928

Emigration to New York in January to join brother and study art.

Enrolled at the National Academy of Design, but felt stifled by its conservatism. Found solace in her composition class taught by the accomplished muralist Arthur Sinclair Covey.

Worked at a millinery factory and as a decorator of parchment lampshades, trays, and wastepaper baskets.

1929

Mother arrived in New York about one month before the stock market crash. Unable to find employment, opened her own dressmaking salon and hired Slobodkina as an assistant.

1930

Emigration of sister Tamara to New York, who also attended the National Academy of Design. Slobodkina received an honorable mention from the Academy for her well-composed Autumnal Procession.

1931

Emigration of father to New York.

Met Ilya Bolotowsky, whose work she had noticed in composition class.

1932

Courted by Ilya Bolotowsky, who had just returned from Europe. He also became her artistic mentor.

1933

Marriage to Bolotowsky in the summer on a farm near High Bridge, New Jersey. Now an American citizen, she was able to quit the National Academy.

1934

Active member of the Artists' Union.

Summer in Noank, Connecticut.

Residency at Yaddo, an artist colony in Saratoga Springs, New York, from August 30 to around December 25. Exploration of Post-Impressionism.

1935

Worked in a factory (a subsidiary of the Cretona Print & Dye Works, Inc.) in Clifton, New Jersey, with the polychrome textile printing process. Lived in Clifton with family during the week and visited her husband on weekends.

First Cubist-inspired painting based on her Clifton apartment bathroom (The Sink).

1936

Employment with the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration as an assistant to Hananiah Harari.

Separated from Bolotowksy and officially divorced in 1938. However, the two remained close friends through the late 1940s.

Founding member of the American Abstract Artists.

1937

Vacation on Monhegan Island, Maine where she painted stylized boats, fishermen, and nautical equipment.

Began working in Paterson, New Jersey, as head designer and supervisor of the polychrome process at Arrow Textile Print Works, Inc. (closed ca. 1941).

“American Abstract Artists 1st Annual Exhibition,” Squibb Galleries, New York, NY, April 3–17.

1938

Beginning of career as a children's book illustrator with the publication of The Little Fireman (written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Esphyr Slobodkina).

Sudden death of her father.

Moved with mother to 108 East 60^th Street. Here, Slobodkina’s mature abstract style began to evolve as evidenced by Abstraction with Red Circle and Mural Sketch No. 1.

Adoption of oil on gesso technique. Enters a gesso work, entitled Painting (now known as Boat Abstraction), in the American Abstract Artists 2^nd annual exhibition.

“American Abstract Artists 2nd Annual Exhibition,” American Fine Arts Galleries, New York, NY, February 14–28.

“15 Abstractions by Esphyr Slobodkina,” New School for Social Research, New York,  NY, November 1–15 (first solo exhibition).

1939

“American Abstract Artists 3^rd Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 7–28.

1940

Joined the newly-formed Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors.

Picketed the Museum of Modern Art with fellow American Abstract Artists members,

Received a scholarship for paint supplies from the Guggenheim Foundation.

Publication of the children’s book Caps for Sale, which has since become a recognized classic. Slobodkina both wrote and illustrated this book.

Orange Abstraction exhibited at the New York World’s Fair with the Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors in the American Art Today Pavillon in June. This work was later painted over to make Ancient Sea Song.

“American Abstract Artists 4^th Annual Exhibition,” American Fine Arts Galleries, New York, NY, June 5–16.

1941

“American Abstract Artists 5^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, February 9–23.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 1^st Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 9–23.

1942

Met businessman and future husband William L. Urquhart at the American Abstract Artists 6^th annual exhibition.

Started Manhattan-based polychrome printing business, known as the Art Development Company (closed around 1948).

Launched American Abstract Artists lecture series at Nierendorf Gallery and active as Assistant Treasurer of the American Abstract Artists.

Entertained Mondrian in her home.

“American Abstract Artists 6^th Annual Exhibition,” Fine Arts Galleries, New York, NY, March 9–23.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 2^nd Annual Exhibition,” Wildenstein & Co., Inc. Galleries, New York, NY, May 21–June 10.

Included in group show of 25 abstract painters at A.E. Gallatin’s Museum of Living Art, June–July. Exhibited Composition, which Gallatin subsequently purchased.

“Esphyr Slobodkina: Recent Painting and Sculpture,” Museum of Living Art, December 7, 1942–January 13, 1943.

1943

“Exhibition by 31 Women," Art of this Century, New York, NY, January. Jurors included Marcel Duchamp and Max Ernst.

“American Abstract Artists 7^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 16–April 5.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 3^rd Annual Exhibition,” Wildenstein & Co., Inc. Galleries, New York, NY, June 3–26.

“Small in Size,” an exhibition by the Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors, Gallery of Modern Art, New York, NY, October 25–November 13.

1944

Became office manager of William L. Urquhart's export business (until 1956). Used everyday office materials, such as bills and stamps, to create several collages including Crossroads and The Spangles.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 4^th Annual Exhibition,” National Arts Club, New York, NY, March 14–31.

“American Abstract Artists 8^th Annual Exhibition,” Mortimer Brandt Gallery, New York, NY, March 27–April 8.

1945

Secretary of the American Abstract Artists (until ca. 1960).

“American Abstract Artists 9^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 11–15.

“Eight by Eight: American Abstract Painting Since 1940,” Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA, March 7–April 1 and the Institute of Modern Art, Boston, MA, April 16–28.

Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 5^th Anniversary Exhibition, Wildenstein Galleries, New York, NY, September 12–29

1946

Included in Ad Reinhardt’s cartoon “How to Look at Modern Art in America,” published in PM, June 2, 1946.

 “American Abstract Artists 10^th Annual Exhibition,” American British Art Center, New York, NY, March 25–April 13.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 6^th Annual,” Wildenstein & Co, New York, NY, September 18–October 5.

“Exhibition of Sculpture and Drawings by the Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors,” Chinese Gallery, New York, NY, December 7–30.

Group show at Norlyst Gallery, December.

Group show at Betty Parsons Gallery with

Alfonso Ossorio, Ad Reinhardt, and others, December.

1947

“American Abstract Artists 11^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 20–April 20.

“Esphyr Slobodkina,” Norlyst Gallery, New York, NY, April 12–May 3.

1948

Moved to Great Neck, New York, with her mother. Designed a studio for the new home, reviving her interest in architecture.

“Tangents,” Norlyst Gallery, New York, NY, May 2–9 (solo exhibition).

“American Abstract Artists 12^th Annual Exhibition,” Chinese Gallery, New York, NY, May 29–June 18.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 8^th Annual Exhibition,” Wildenstein Galleries, New York, NY, September 14–October 2.

1949

“American Abstract Artists 13^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 29–April 17.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 9^th Annual Exhibition,” National Arts Club, New York, NY, October 12–29

1950

“American Abstract Artists 14^th Annual Exhibition,” New School for Social Research, NY, March 15–31.

“1950 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting,” Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, November 10–Decemer 31.  Exhibited Elements of Music.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors Exhibition of Small Oils and Sculpture,” New School for Social Research, New York, NY, November 12–December 3.

 “Creative Art Associates,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, December 3–22.

American Abstract Artists show at Galeria Nazionale D’Arte Moderna, Rome, Italy, December.

1951

Included in Ad Reinhardt’s “Imaginary Museum,” published in Art d’Aujourd’hui, June 1951.

“American Abstract Artists 15^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 12–April 4.

“Paintings by Esphyr Slobodkina,” New School for Social Research, New York, NY, March 19–31.

American Abstract Artists Show at Galerie Karin Hielscher, Munich, Germany, March 21–April 30.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 11th Annual Exhibition,” National Arts Club, New York, NY.

“1951 Annual Exhibiton of Contemporary American Painting,” Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, November 8, 1951–January 6, 1952. Exhibited Abstraction with Black Shape (ca. 1945–51, Private Collection).

“Creative Art Associates, 6^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, December 2–23.

1952

“American Abstract Artists 16^th Annual Exhibition,” New Gallery, New York, NY, February 24–March 13.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 12^th Annual Exhibition,” National Arts Club, New York, NY, September.

“1952 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting,” Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, November 6, 1952–January 4, 1953. Exhibited Composition with White Ovals, which the Whitney subsequently purchased.

1953

Summer trip to Italy and France.

“American Abstract Artists 17^th Annual Exhibition,” Artists Equity Association, New York, NY, January 10–February 14.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 13^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, January 10–31.

“The Classic Tradition in Contemporary Art,” Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN, April 24–June 28.

“1953 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting,” Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, October 15–December 6. Exhibited Flight (ca. 1953, Corcoran Gallery).

1954

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 14^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, January.

“Slobodkina,” John Heller Gallery, New York, February 15–March 6.

“American Abstract Artists 18^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 7–28.

1955

“1955 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting,” Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, January 12–February 20. Exhibited Blue Abstract (current location unknown).

“American Abstract Artists 19^th Annual Exhibition,” New School for Social Research, New York, NY, February 28–March 21.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 15^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY November 13–December 4.

1956

“American Abstract Artists 20^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, April 8–May 20.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 16^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, November.

1957

Residency at Yaddo in September for two weeks.

“American Abstract Artists 21^st Annual Exhibition,” The Contemporaries Gallery, New York, NY, April 22–May 11.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 17^th Annual Exhibition,” Silvermine Guild of Artists, New Canaan, CT, September 29–October 25

1958

Residency at the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, NH from February 27–March 25 and September 15–October 15.

Won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Caps for Sale.

“American Abstract Artists 22^nd Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 2–30.

“1958 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting,” Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, November 11–January 4, 1959.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 18^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, November.

Solo exhibition at the Almus Art Gallery, Great Neck, New York, NY, November 9–30,

“Esphyr Slobodkina: Paintings and Collages,” New School, New York, NY, December 2–17.

1959

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 19^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March.

“American Abstract Artists 23^rd Annual Exhibition,” Betty Parsons Gallery, New York, NY, June 1–13.

1960

Marriage to William L. Urquhart.

Taught private painting classes in Great Neck, NY.

Treasurer and Vice-President of the American Abstract Artists until 1963.

“American Abstract Artists 24^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, February 28–March 27.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 20^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, October 30–November 27.

1961

“American Abstract Artists 25^th Annual Exhibition,” Lever House, New York, NY, April 3–21.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 18^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, November 12–December 10.

1962

“American Abstract Artists 26^th Annual Exhibition,” IBM Gallery, New York, NY, February 5–24.

“An Exhibition of Work by Itta and Esphyr Slobodkina, Chase Manhattan Bank, Great Neck, NY, December 10, 1962–January 7, 1963.

1963

Death of second husband, William L. Urquhart.

Elected President of American Abstract Artists (until 1966).

“American Abstract Artists 27^th Annual Exhibition,” East Hampton Gallery, New York, NY, May 7–June 1.

1964

“American Abstract Artists 28^th Annual Exhibition,” Loeb Student Center, South Gallery, New York University, NY, January 8–23.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 23^rd Annual Exhibition,” Lever House, New York, NY, January 12–26.

1965

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 24^th Annual Exhibition,” Lever House, New York, NY, January 10–24.

“American Abstract Artists 29^th Annual Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, March 14–April 25.

1966

Chairman of American Abstract Artists Publications Committee. Responsible for the publication and design of American Abstract Artists 1936 –1966.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 25^th Annual Exhibition,” Union Carbide Exhibition Hall, New York, NY, January–February 1.

“American Abstract Artists 30^th Anniversary Exhibition, Yesterday and Today 1936–1966,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, September 25–November 27.

1967

Designed a house for sister Tamara in Great Neck, NY (completed in 1972).

“American Abstract Artists,” Loeb Student Center, New York University, NY, July 10–August 7.

1968

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors 27^th Annual,” Riverside Museum, January 14–February 19.

“Federation of Modern Painters & Sculptors,” Union Carbide Exhibition Hall, New York, NY, September 16–October 11.

“American Abstract Artists 32^nd Anniversary Exhibition,” Riverside Museum, New York, NY, October 6–December 1.

1969

“American Abstract Artists,” North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC, February 9 –March 9.

1970

Created a collage mural based on Pezzo the Peddler and the Circus Elephant for the University of Southern Mississippi Library, Hattiesburg, MS.

“American Abstract Artists,” Loeb Student Center, New York University, NY, February–April 16.