Hassel Smith
A Life Painted Across Landscapes and Abstraction Hassel Smith, a name perhaps less immediately recognizable than some of his Abstract Expressionist contemporaries, nevertheless occupies a pivotal position in the narrative of West Coast art. Born in 1915 in Sturgis, Michigan, his life was one of constant relocation during his formative years, dictated by his mother’s health. These early movements – between Michigan and the burgeoning a…
The Lifeline
Scroll through Hassel Smith's working life — artwork by artwork, chapter by chapter — from the earliest dated work to the last. Each thumbnail is pinned at its exact year on the gold axis.
Chapters — Career Periods
The ribbon is divided into shaded bands, one per career chapter. Each chapter groups Hassel Smith's works by their historical period — early training, mature practice, final years.
Thumbnails — Dated Works
Every thumbnail is pinned at its precise creation year. A thin gold thread drops from the image to its exact point on the axis. Larger frames mark the artist's masterpieces by rank.
Colour Band — Movement Drift
The gradient bar beneath the axis shifts colour as the dominant art movement changes over time — from the warm golds of the early period through the deeper tones of maturity. It fills progressively as you scroll.