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Helen McNeil-Ashton — Creativity and Conflict: The Marriage of Edward and Josephine Hopper

August 15 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

In 1924 Edward Hopper married Josephine (“Jo”) Nivison, an artist whose works at that time had been more widely exhibited. During their 43 year marriage Jo was Edward’s muse, model, accountant and, arguably, victim.  In the era of #MeToo, this lecture places the tumultuous Hopper marriage in the context of period relationships and other artist-artist marriages while asking questions about historical method. How important is biographical information — if at all — in understanding the art work? How does the viewer deal with the “curse of knowledge,” as we inevitably bring cultural assumptions to the viewing of the art work? Once known, can biographical knowledge ever be undone?

Edward Hopper said several times that his paintings were himself; what happens if we take him at his word and read his works as psychobiography? After looking at works by Edward, Jo and some contemporaries, the talk ends with an analysis of Edward’s “Rooms by the Sea” (1951).

Helen McNeil-Ashton is Vice-President in Charge of the Collection at the Truro Historical Society and curated the new permanent exhibition in the Edward and Josephine Hopper Room at Highland House Museum.

For over two decades Helen was a lecturer in American Literature, Film Studies and literary and visual Modernism at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England.  She holds a B.A. from Reed College and an M.A .and Ph.D. from Yale University.

Introducing Susan Kurtzman – THS President

THS is pleased to announce that Susan Kurtzman was recently elected President of the Board of Directors. She’s been an active member of the Truro Historical Society and Highland House Museum for over 20 years. Susan was Curator of the Highland House Museum from 2000-2004 and has served on many of the Board committees. A full time Truro resident, Kurtzman is also the owner of JOBI Pottery, a legacy Truro business that produces JOBI Pottery and provides a gallery for local artists

“I look forward to working with our talented staff and dedicated Board to bring even more great programming and museum experiences to our members and visitors .”

Featured Video – Watch “the Story of the Cobb Archive

Cobb Memorial Library, Built in 1912

Produced by Jan Worthington and Angela McNerney, “The Story of the Cobb Archive” is a video created in 2022 that tells the story of how Truro’s first public library became the repository for the Truro Historical Society’s archives.

Featuring interviews with Susan Kurtzman, Helen McNeil-Ashton, Norman Pope and Paul Morris the video features the Society’s vast collection of works on paper including books, maps and photographs.

To view the video, click HERE.
View all the videos on our YouTube Channel by clicking HERE

 

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Cobb Archive

13 Truro Center Road Truro, MA 508.349.0200
9:30 – 12:00 Tuesday and Thursday

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6 Highland Light Road North Truro, MA 02652 508.487.3397
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