A prominent figure in the New York School of poets, known for his spontaneous, conversational style and poems that capture the essence of urban life and the human experience.
Frank O'Hara was a leading figure in the New York School, an informal group of artists, writers, and musicians who drew inspiration from jazz, surrealism, abstract expressionism, action painting, and contemporary avant-garde art movements. As a poet, art critic, and curator at the Museum of Modern Art, O'Hara became prominent in New York City's art world, capturing the immediacy of life in his personal and urban poetry.
Born on March 27, 1926, in Baltimore, Maryland, Frank O'Hara grew up in Grafton, Massachusetts, believing his birthday was in June, a secret kept by his parents due to his conception out of wedlock. He attended St. Johns High School and later studied piano at the New England Conservatory in Boston from 1941 to 1944. During World War II, O'Hara served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific and Japan as a sonarman on the destroyer USS Nicholas.
O'Hara's poetry is characterized by its personal tone, diary-like entries, and urban landscapes. His work often incorporated elements of camp, jazz, and abstract expressionism, making it distinct from academic verse. As poet and critic Mark Doty notes, O'Hara's poetry is "urbane, ironic, sometimes genuinely celebratory and often wildly funny." His poetry sought to capture the immediacy of life, feeling that poetry should be a conversation between two people rather than two pages.
O'Hara's poetry career spanned over two decades, during which he wrote numerous poetry collections, including Lunch Poems, Meditations in an Emergency, and The Wild Irises. He was also an art critic, writing for publications such as Art News and Art International. His poetic and critical work often blurred the lines between high art and popular culture, reflecting his involvement in the New York City avant-garde scene.
The Collected Poems of Frank O'Hara, edited by Donald Allen, won the 1972 National Book Award for Poetry, solidifying O'Hara's position as a leading poet of his generation. His poetry has also been recognized for its innovative style and contribution to the American literary canon.
O'Hara's poetry and art criticism continue to influence contemporary literature, art, and popular culture. His work has inspired generations of writers, artists, and musicians, including the punk rock movement and the avant-garde art scene of the 1970s and 1980s.
O'Hara's personal life was marked by his relationships with artists and writers, including his romantic partner, Larry Rivers, and his close friendships with artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. His poetry often reflects these relationships, capturing the intensity and intimacy of his personal connections.
Frank O'Hara's poetry and art criticism continue to be celebrated for their innovative style, urban sensibility, and contribution to American literary and art history. His legacy extends beyond his own work, influencing generations of writers, artists, and musicians who have followed in his footsteps. Brad Gooch's biography, City Poet, provides a comprehensive account of O'Hara's life and work, solidifying his position as a leading figure in the New York School.
98 Years Old
A celebrated poet of the New York School, known for his surreal, dreamlike, and often humorous poetry that explores the human condition and the nature of language. His work is characterized by its complexity, wit, and playfulness.
Born in 1925
A celebrated poet, playwright, and professor, known for his witty and imaginative works that blend humor and intellectualism. His poetry is often praised for its accessibility and clever wordplay.
Born in 1923
A prominent figure in the New York School of poetry, known for their lyrical and introspective style, which explored themes of nature, identity, and relationships.
Born in 1923
A pioneer of Pop Art, creating provocative and humorous works that blended high and low culture, often incorporating found objects and everyday imagery.
Born in 1922
A pioneering abstract expressionist painter and educator, known for her bold and vibrant works that blended figurative and abstract elements, influencing the development of American art.
97 Years Old
A pioneering abstract expressionist artist, known for her innovative "soak-stain" technique, which involved pouring thinned paint onto raw canvas to create vibrant, lyrical works. Her style blurred the lines between painting and printmaking.
Born in 1925
A pioneer of pop art, combining found objects and images to create innovative, thought-provoking works that blurred the lines between art and everyday life.
95 Years Old
A pioneer of pop art, creating enigmatic works that explore the relationship between perception, reality, and meaning, often using common images like flags and targets.
