I Wanted a Different Betty Parsons Exhibition

Annandale-on-Hudson, NY — The creation of "Betty Parsons: An Expanded World" at the Hessel Museum of Art seems to have been the result of considerable professional admiration and respect. However, the exhibition also contains certain glaring incongruities that make it feel off-kilter, and the overall quality of the artwork presented is quite ordinary.

Despite this, admiration for Betty Parsons is indeed well-earned: she directed a gallery that brought many prominent artists of the late 20th century into the spotlight. A few of these luminaries include Agnes Martin, Barnett Newman, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Clyfford Still, Sonja Sekula, Mark Rothko, and Robert Rauschenberg. The exhibition's description states that her role was to "usher in the American avant-garde."

A multi-channel film by G. Anthony Svatek and Kaija Siirala displayed in the galleries provides viewers with the detailed account of her struggles, including dealing with a patriarchal art scene, working with limited budgets, and being attracted to deeply feeling artists.

In the film, Parsons openly criticizes the male-dominated art world, describing them as "boring," "athletic," "rich," "regressive," and "insensitive." Nevertheless, she admits that when she finds an artist who is sensitive and imaginative, she is greatly pleased. An example of such an artist is Agnes Martin, who expresses her disappointment with Parsons' payment: "I hate to tell the truth, but the truth is that she didn't pay very well.

So, I had to leave her in the end." Parsons herself admits to the difficulties of her profession, stating, "It's tough going because you work very hard and all you get is a kick in the ass for it." Most of her successful artists eventually left her for other galleries.