Born in 1927 in New York City, the Sheila Isham, an Americn abstract painter, led a life of exploration and travel alongside her diplomat husband, experiencing various cultures that influenced her art. Over her dedicated five-decade career, Isham delved into painting, lithography, book arts, and collage, driven by her fascination with philosophy and nature. Critics have praised her work for its ability to generate life force rather than merely describing or symbolizing.
After graduating from Bryn Mawr College, Isham moved to Berlin with her husband, becoming the first American citizen accepted at the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. She studied under German Abstract Expressionists until 1954. In subsequent years, her travels to Moscow and Hong Kong exposed her to Russian avant-garde art and Chinese calligraphy, which significantly impacted her artistic vocabulary. Back in Washington, D.C., Isham blended airbrush techniques, chance procedures, and Eastern inspirations, creating dreamlike abstractions in vibrant colors.
Throughout her career, Isham's works featured elements from Haitian animism, Eastern cosmography, and Hinduism. Her style evolved to include collaged biomorphic figuration with energetic brush strokes and more saturated color palettes. Regardless of these changes, her art consistently conveyed a mystical quality and her deep interest in spirituality.
Isham's talent gained recognition through solo exhibitions at esteemed institutions like the Smithsonian Institute, Albright Knox Art Gallery, and the Georgia Museum of Art. Her works are held in major public and private collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, National Gallery of Art, Yale University Art Gallery, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Walker Art Center.