Irving and Hela Norman papers, circa 1920-2010

Found here is biographical material belonging to Irving and Hela Norman, including citizenship, marriage, and death records, wills, and identification documents. Also found are documents regarding Irving Norman's activities, such as drafts of a biographical chronology and related notes, records of his participation in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, and photocopies and correspondence regarding his FBI file. Also of note are some photocopies of early records and photographs which were sent to Hela from a family member.

Most correspondence consists of letters between Hela Norman and others concerning the works of Irving Norman, and post-dates his death. Included is extensive correspondence from 1989, the year of his death. Correspondence is with curators, museums, galleries, art dealers, friends, and family. Of note is extensive correspondence with curators Michael Bell and Patricia Junker; and friends Daniel Gundlach, Jerry Freeman, Judith Freeman, and Martin Sosin. Additionally there are many letters from Irving Norman's daughter, Maxine Ferriera, some of which contain biographical information. Researchers should note that letters from the same individuals may be found within the alphabetical and chronological correspondence. Most of the correspondence dated before 1975 are photocopies.

This series is arranged as 2 subseries.

Found here are many audio and video recordings of interviews with Irving and Hela Norman. Interviews were conducted for television programs as well as documentary projects. Of note are extensive interviews conducted at the Norman's home by Daniel Gundlach, an interview conducted by Oscar Lemer after the Norman's house and studio fire, and recordings for the short documentary by Susan Friedman, "Irving Norman: To Whom it May Concern." In addition to the original analog videocassette or sound cassette recordings, most interviews are included in digital format, and were transcribed in 2008. Some interviews also include additional cassettes containing selected excerpts. Additional documentation regarding these interviews may be found within the correspondence in Series 2.

The scattered writings found here include notes written by Hela Norman, a brief biography of Hela, and hand-written recollections of Irving Norman by his daughter, Maxine Ferriera. Also found are a few essays about Irving Norman's work. Digital documents consist of Hela Norman's diary entries and autobiographical commentary.

Exhibition records consist of files documenting several retrospective exhibitions of Irving Norman's work. These files may include correspondence, notes, press clippings, exhibition publications, price lists, loan forms, planning documents, and draft catalog essays. Also found is a chronological set of exhibition press compiled by Hela Norman.

Found here are personal business records, some in digital format, including lists of artworks and documents regarding artwork appraisal, conservation, gifts, and photography. Also found is a bound index to Irving Norman's artwork which includes notations on what was lost in the 1988 studio fire. Additionally there are book project documents for Dark Metropolis: Irving Norman's Social Surrealism (2006), published by Heyday Books. Also included is a digital video documentary A Moving Feast, which discusses books' co-editor Ray Day. Business dealings with several art galleries include correspondence, consignment and sales records, printed material, and price lists.

The small amount of printed material in this collection includes news clipping about the Normans, a few announcements for exhibitions of Irving Norman's work, and blank notecards that he designed. Additional printed material can be found within the exhibition records in Series 5.

Photographs depict Irving Norman as a young adult, later in life with his wife Hela, and posing with his paintings. Also found is one photograph of him with fellow artist Charles Ware. Additionally there are photographs of Irving Norman's funeral, and early family photographs. Color photographs and digital photographs of Norman's artwork provide a nearly complete inventory of his paintings. Color photographs are arranged chronologically. Many of the photographs are labeled with title, date, and current owner.