Graphic designer and artist Elaine Lustig-Cohen passed away this week.
According to a biography by Stephen Heller... "At 15, she wandered into Peggy Guggenheim’s short-lived but influential Art of This Century gallery, where Guggenheim had exhibited a collection of Kandinskys in an installation designed by Frederick Kiesler. That chance visit ignited Elaine’s lifelong passion for modern art."
Image: NY Times
Elaine worked with her husband Alvin Lustig from 1948, until his passing in 1955. At 28, she took over the family business and had a long career as a graphic designer and artist.
Source: Elaine Lustig-Cohen
One of her first projects was building signage for Phillip Johnson's House of Seagram.
Source: Elaine Lustig-Cohen
Elaine's 1955 catalog design for Lightolier, a company Alvin also designed for. It was included in a recent LACMA exhibition of Alvin and Elaine's graphic design work.
The LACMA installation
Elaine continued her graphic design business until 1969, then focused more on painting and collage.
1929 Black Tuesday for AIGACollage, 2014
Source: Elaine Lustig Cohen
Sewing BoxObjects, 1983
Source: Elaine Lustig Cohen