Olga Anhalzer Fisch (Budapest, 1901- Quito, December 30, 1990[1]) was a Bauhaus artist, rug maker, art collector, and gallery owner.[2] Her work is in the collection of the United Nations and has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, Lincoln Center, and The Textile Museum.[2][3]
Her collection of Ecuadorian art and artifacts was featured in the Renwick Gallery's 1981 exhibition, A Feast of Color: Corpus Christi Dance Costumes of Ecuador.[4]
Fisch, who was Jewish, fled Hungary due to Nazi persecution. She and her husband, Bela, settled in Ecuador in 1939 and opened the gallery, Olga Fisch Folklore, in 1942.[2]
Early life edit
Fisch was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1901 and lived in the town of Győr, Hungary.[5]
As a child, she collected folk art from Hungarian villages.[6]
Fisch was Jewish.[5]
Career edit
Fisch worked painting ceramics in Vienna, Austria and went on to study painting in Dusseldorf, Germany where she met her first husband, Jupp Rubsam. The couple later divorced.[5][6]
Fisch and her second husband, Bela, fled Hungary due to Nazi persecution. In 1939, they settled in Quito, Ecuador where Fisch taught at the Quito School of Art.[6]
Fisch became interested in Ecuadorian culture and began collecting folk art created by Indigenous Ecuadorian artisans.[2]
She designed rugs inspired by Ecuadorian culture. The rugs were produced by local weavers.[3]
Three months after The Fisches arrived in Quito, they were visited by Lincoln Kirstein of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Kirstein purchased a rug from Fisch for $300. The couple used the money to open their gallery, Olga Fisch Folklore, where they sold Fisch's works as well folk art and other pieces produced by local artisans.[2]
Fisch compensated the craftspeople who worked for her, as well as the artisans whose worked she sold, with a living wage.[5]
As of 2023, Olga Fisch Folklore, also known as simply Olga Fisch or Folklore is still in operation.[7]
Death edit
Fisch died in Ecuador on December 30, 1990.[5]
Collections edit
United Nations, Handwoven Ecuadorean Rugs, Acquired February 20, 1956
References edit
- ^ "Olga Fisch: biografía del artista e historial de precios en 1stDibs". 1stDibs.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ a b c d e Blake, Harriet L. (1981-02-01). "Painter and Patron of Primitive Art". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
- ^ a b "United Nations Photo - 309.jpg". dam.media.un.org. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
- ^ Fenyvesi, Charles (May 28, 1982). "The Artistry Of Olga Fisch". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b c d e Guerrero, Belen (2018-12-19). "El asombroso mundo de Olga Fisch - CLAVE Turismo Ecuador". Clave! (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-14.
- ^ a b c "Olga Fisch: artist and mentor of Ecuadorian folk art". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
- ^ "Olga Fisch Folklore in Ecuador". My Guide Ecuador. Retrieved 2023-02-14.