“Just making art itself is the great thing. It has always been my biggest thrill. It’s a joy, a high, better than ten martinis!” - Dorothy Dehner
Dorothy Dehner's career as an artist began in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was born. At the age of 54 in 1955, she transitioned into the world of sculpture, having previously explored painting and dance. Following her artistic passions, she moved to New York and married renowned sculptor David Smith. They settled in Bolton Landing, New York, yet her artistic ambitions often took a backseat to her husband's career.
In 1951, Dehner and Smith divorced, and she returned to New York City. There, her sculpting career gained momentum, with bronze as her primary medium. Her creative horizons expanded as she ventured into various other media, and her artworks grew in scale. Tragically, shortly before her passing, a pharmacist's error led to her losing her sight.
Dorothy Dehner's remarkable artistic path garnered recognition and accolades. Her work was celebrated in major retrospectives at prestigious institutions, including the Jewish Museum in New York, City University of New York, the Katonah Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Her sculptures and dedication to her craft remain an enduring testament to her artistic legacy.