Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004)
1931 Tom Wesselmann is born on February 23 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
1949-51 Attends Hiram College, Ohio.
1951-53 Attends the University of Cincinnati, Ohio.
1953-54 Is drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Begins drawings cartoons.
1954 His cartoons are published in the magazines 1000 Jokes and True.
1954-56 Returns to the University of Cincinnati to complete his bachelor’s degree in philosophy.
1956 Moves to New York and attends Copper Union.
1956-59 While studying at Copper Union he founds the Judson gallery with Marc Ratliff and Jim Dine.
1957 Meets Claire Selley, his friend, model, and eventually, wife.
1958 Decides to give up making cartoons and become a painter.
1959 Graduates from Cooper Union.
Early 1960s Teaches at the High School of Art and Design.
1960s Exhibits his first shaped canvas.
1961 Begins the Great American Nude series. His first solo exhibition is held at the Tanager Gallery, New York.
1962 Participates in the “New Realist” exhibition at the Sidney Janis Gallery, New York. His work is included “Recent Painting USA: The Figure,” a travelling exhibition organized by the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Begins the Still Life series.
1963 Marries Claire Selley.
1964 Creates his first landscapes. A solo exhibition of his work is held at the Green Gallery, New York.
1965 His work is included in the “Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting” at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Begins his Seascape and Mouth series.
1966 His work is included in two travelling exhibitions organized by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, as well as a Dada exhibition at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna, Rome. The Sidney Janis Gallery, New York mounts a solo exhibition of his work.
1967 His first solo European exhibition is held at the Galerie Ileana Sonnabend, Paris. He participates in the ninth Sao Paulo Biennial. He begins his Bedroom Painting and Smoker series.
1968 Participates in the Documenta in Kassel.
1973 Executes the last work in the Great American Nude series.
1976 A solo exhibition of his work is held at the Galleria Giò Marconi, Milan.
1977 His work is included in the group show “American Art Since 1945” at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
1980 Publishes his autobiography and monograph under the pseudonym Slim Stealingworth.
Early 1980s Begins making metal works.
1983 Begins the Steel Drawings series.
1988-89 Participates in the Venice Biennale.
1993 Begins a series of abstract works.
1999 Executes the last work in the Smoker series.
2003 A retrospective exposition of his drawings and maquettes is held at the University Art Museum, California State University, Long Beach. This is the only museum retrospective in the United States held during his lifetime.
2004 After surgery for a heart condition, he dies on December 17.