about robert
Robert Seydel was an Associate Professor of Visual Art at Hampshire College until his untimely death on January 27, 2011.
Although he previously taught at The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and the University of Connecticut at Storrs, it was at at Hampshire that he found a creative and intellectual home as well as a supportive community of friends and colleagues.
Although he previously taught at The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and the University of Connecticut at Storrs, it was at at Hampshire that he found a creative and intellectual home as well as a supportive community of friends and colleagues.
Photo of Robert in his studio by Richard Kraft
Photo by Richard Kraft
"A prolific artist and writer, Robert Seydel (1960-2011), left behind a multi-layered, highly original body of work marked by both an unrelenting sense of play and an extraordinary and eclectic body of knowledge. Seydel’s ongoing and interrelated series incorporated collage, drawing, photography, narrative and lyric writing, often using various personas and fictional constructs."
Robert's untimely death occurred on a snowy morning on January 27, 2011, shortly before the publication of his first book-length project, Book of Ruth, from Siglio Press.
Family, friends, colleagues, and students mourned his loss, but through his art and writings his expansive mind lives on.
Additionally, a portion of his extensive book collection can be found in the Robert Seydel Reading Room at the Harold F. Johnson Library at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA.
Family, friends, colleagues, and students mourned his loss, but through his art and writings his expansive mind lives on.
Additionally, a portion of his extensive book collection can be found in the Robert Seydel Reading Room at the Harold F. Johnson Library at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA.
Photo by Abraham Ravett
His sister Gail Robin and God-daughter Sylvanna Dove are currently the executrix of his estate. Robert's dear friend and colleague art historian Sura Levine helps with consultation and oversight, as does friend and fellow colleague, photographer, and artist Kane Stewart.
Many of the digital images of Robert's work included here were taken by Stephen Petegorsky. Others were taken by Robert himself. The image of Robert's workspace at his Gray Street home in Amherst, Massachusetts, was taken by long-time friend Richard Kraft.
Many of the digital images of Robert's work included here were taken by Stephen Petegorsky. Others were taken by Robert himself. The image of Robert's workspace at his Gray Street home in Amherst, Massachusetts, was taken by long-time friend Richard Kraft.
Photos of Robert were taken by friends Kane Stewart, Abraham Ravett, and various family members.
Many thanks to Abraham Ravett, Luz Angelica Fernandez, Jeanne Cohen, Mary Lambert of Studio 9, and Sura Levine for the creation of The Collected Syllabi of Robert Seydel, Amherst, MA: Off the Common Books, 2014.
Many thanks to Abraham Ravett, Luz Angelica Fernandez, Jeanne Cohen, Mary Lambert of Studio 9, and Sura Levine for the creation of The Collected Syllabi of Robert Seydel, Amherst, MA: Off the Common Books, 2014.
Copies of all of Robert's publications can be purchased at Amherst Books.
Thanks to Lisa Pearson of Siglio Press for the publication of Book of Ruth and A Picture is Always a Book, and to Siglio Press and Ugly Duckling Presse for Songs of S.
We welcome inquiries about Robert's work. Contact us here!
Thanks to Lisa Pearson of Siglio Press for the publication of Book of Ruth and A Picture is Always a Book, and to Siglio Press and Ugly Duckling Presse for Songs of S.
We welcome inquiries about Robert's work. Contact us here!
A Note on Titles:
In some cases, Robert titled series of works as well as some specific pieces. However, as was his way and given the enormity of the volume of his work, many pieces remain untitled.
For ease of reference to particular works, where to our knowledge no title given by Robert exists, we use a combination of the Series name and a number, for example Droon3.
In this way viewers can use their creativity in finding their personal names for pieces based on what Robert often called their "see" of a work.
In some cases, Robert titled series of works as well as some specific pieces. However, as was his way and given the enormity of the volume of his work, many pieces remain untitled.
For ease of reference to particular works, where to our knowledge no title given by Robert exists, we use a combination of the Series name and a number, for example Droon3.
In this way viewers can use their creativity in finding their personal names for pieces based on what Robert often called their "see" of a work.
curriculum vitae
• 2007 Curriculum Vitaearticles & interviews
• Tupeloquarterly• Cueart foundation• The paris review
• Bomb magazine• Laurenvhs• Montague reporter - page 9
Photo by Richard Kraft
