Guide to the Gaza Bowen papers
M. Carey
University of California, Santa Cruz
2013
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz 95064
speccoll@library.ucsc.edu
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Santa Cruz
Title: Gaza Bowen papers
Creator:
Bowen, Gaza, 1944-2005
Identifier/Call Number: MS.293
Physical Description:
26 Linear Feet
16 boxes, 1 oversize folder, 39 oversize objects
Date (inclusive): 1980-2008
Abstract: This collection includes files,
notebooks and slides as well as artist's books and installation pieces from "Biblioteca
Memoria".
Physical Location: Stored in Special Collections &
Archives: Advance notice is required for access to the papers.
Language of Material:
English .
Access
Collection open for research. Some of the oversize objects are not available for research
because of their size, weight and condition.
Use Restictions
Property rights for this collection reside with the University of California. Literary
rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. The publication
or use of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use for research or
educational purposes requires written permission from the copyright owner. Responsibility
for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Preferred Citation
Gaza Bowen papers. MS 293. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University
of California, Santa Cruz.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Dennis Wheeler in 2002, 2006, 2009.
Biography
Gaza Bowen (1944-2005) was an internationally known sculptor who exhibited extensively
since 1978. In the broadest sense her work was an inquiry into the non-verbal communication
between people and objects.
For nearly twenty years she focused her attention on shoes: their construction, history,
cultural meaning, and social significance. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she made
functional shoes that sported vibrant colors and unusual patterns. Then she explored shoes
as sculptures. Her work has been featured in museums from Berkeley to Los Angeles to
Germany. Perhaps her best-known series, "Shoes for the Little Woman," was a group of shoe
sculptures created mostly from cleaning supplies: elaborate high heels constructed from
kitchen sponges or wooden clothespins, sometimes decorated with pot scrubbers.
In 1995, supported by fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the
California Arts Council, Gaza stepped away from the shoe idiom and began exploring the
relationship between the personal and the political, building mixed media sculptures based
on childhood memories.
From 1997 to 1999 she continued her investigation into how the history of use becomes
indelibly etched into the fiber of matter and how those traces of memory evoke meaning in
the viewer. This work culminated in "Bibliotheca Memoria", a library/reading room
installation of books and furniture built from salvaged materials.
Her use of detritus as art material led her to an artist-in-residency at the San Francisco
dump in 2000. Her final project from this four month residency was the "Waste Not/What Not
Catalog". She also produced many artist's books including "Red Shoe Reader" and "The Secret
Game".
Gaza Bowen's work is included in many private and public collections including Los Angeles
County Museum of Art, Oakland Museum, and The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; The Getty
Center for Art and the Humanities and The Norton Family Foundation, Santa Monica,
California; Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia and Duetsches Schuhmuseum, Offenbach am
Main, Germany.
Excerpted from Gaza Bowen, Artist, Biography at gazabowen.com & SF Gate obituary,
6/11/2005, by Kelly Hill, Chronicle Staff Writer.
A resume of Gaza Bowen's work can be found under "Additional Guides" to this finding
aid.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection includes files, notebooks and slides as well as artist's books and
installation pieces from "Biblioteca Memoria". Many of the objects were fabricated from
material from the San Francisco Land Fill and are rusty and sharp edged. Please handle with
care.
Separated Material
Red shoe reader [Gaza Bowen, compiler], and Waste not/what not catalog : new paradigm
products, [designed, photographed, written by Gaza Bowen] have been cataloged
separately.
Processing Information
- Processed by:
- M. Carey
- Date Completed:
- February 2014
- Encoded by:
- M. Carey
Additional collection guides
-
Gaza Bowen Resume
-
Slide Bin
Divisions
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Artists -- California -- Santa Cruz
County
Installation works (Art)
Business & Research materials, Series 1
ca. 1996-2005
Physical Description: 6 document boxes
Scope and Content Summary
This series contains some biographical material, drawings, notebooks, diaries, sales
list, loans, teaching materials, printed appearences, and slides.
Box 1
Biographical material, artist statements, etc.,
1996-2005
Box 1
Sales, Museums, Grants, Exhibit Loans,
1990-2003
Box 1
Exhibits, appearances in magazines, programs, announcements
Box 2
Announcements & programs,
1997-2001
Box 5
Photos of art work, Shoes; Drawings,
1983-1997
Box 3
2 diaries, 7 notebooks,
ca. 1990s
Box 4
4 notebooks,
ca. 1980-1990s
Box 4
Notebook: "Pro Deo et Ecclesia . . .",
n.d.
Box 4
Group Show - Cabrillo Gallery,
2006
Box 5
Red Shoe Reader,
1992-2000
Box 6-8
Slides
1978-1999
Other Finding Aids
See Addtional Collection Guides for slide inventory.
Map-Case C-10, Folder 1
"Tuff Scuffs" sculptural shoe poster
1991
Biblioteca Memoria,
Series 2
ca. 1997-1999
Physical Description: 64 objects
Scope and Content Summary
This series contains some of the objects from the installation "Bibliotheca
Memoria".
In 1997 Gaza began work on "Bibliotheca Memoria", a life size library built from
salvaged metals and assorted detritus. First viewed in September 1999 at Couturier
Gallery, Los Angeles, the work has been installed at four other venues: Eloise Pickard
Smith Gallery, University of California Santa Cruz; Special Collections, McHenry
Library, University of California Santa Cruz; Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose,
California; and JFK University Arts Annex, Berkeley in connection with Women's
Environmental Artist Symposium 2001.
Box 9
Metal slide box - empty - "O-P" #7, ms0293_obj_0045
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Box 9
Metal slide box - empty - "Q-S" #8, ms0293_obj_0046
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Box 9
Metal slide box w/magnifying glass inset in cover, inside cover inset
w/knobs, keys - rope, slides. corked bottle of water - "K-L" #5,
ms0293_obj_0047
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Box 10
Metal slide box - empty - "A-B" #1, ms0293_obj_0048
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Box 9
Metal slide box w/metal magnifying glass, metal engraving block of "bowling
pins" and wood/metal engraving of people" - "M-N" #6,
ms0293_obj_0044
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Box 10
Metal slide box w/vertebrate, telephone rotary dial, round cardboard box -
"T-V" #9,
ms0293_obj_0049
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Box 10
Metal slide box - empty - "W-Z" #10, ms0293_obj_0050
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Box 10
Metal slide box w/ double glass display areas. Inside: contains lace, beads,
buttons, ribbons, grommets, etc.,
ms0293_obj_0051
1997-1999
Physical Description: 7 1/4" x 11 1/4" x
2"
Box 10
Blue metal box w/2 working gears. Inside: red metal notebook w/ wire mesh
pages, gears,
ms0293_obj_0057
1997-1999
Physical Description: 12" x 5 1/2" 1
1/2"
Box 11
Metal slide box w/wire mesh book on cover & chain attached. Inside:
w/lighter, c-clamp, chain links, spring, bolt, etc.,
ms0293_obj_0052
1997-1999
Physical Description: 4 1/2" x 11 1/2" x 1
1/2"
Box 11
Metal book on cover w/chain attached. Inside: w/ spring, nut & bolt, ball
bearings, metal bits,
ms0293_obj_0053
1997-1999
Physical Description: 4" x 11 1/2" x
2"
Box 11
Black leather covered wood box w/ mirror shard inbedded. Inside: w/ 'pages'
of lace, wire mesh, plastic, netting, etc.,
ms0293_obj_0054
1997-1999
Physical Description: 5" x 10" x 1
1/2"
Box 11
Black metal box w/ imbedded cheese grater on cover & plastic insulator,
chain attached to cover. Inside: w/sheet metal & wire mesh pages,
ms0293_obj_0058
1997-1999
Physical Description: 7" x 4" x
1"
Box 11
Black metal chain, 1/2" link, ms0293_obj_0059
1997-1999
Physical Description: 16"
Box 11
Galvanized metal chain, 1 1/2" link w/metal hook at end, ms0293_obj_0060
1997-1999
Physical Description: 61"
Box 12
Metal box w/ chrome handle & chain attached. Inside: w/mirror, wire coil,
bolt, ear plug, mirror clip, etc.,
ms0293_obj_0055
1997-1999
Physical Description: 7" x 4 1/2" x 3
1/2"
Box 12
Metal box w/ bike chain & mirror on cover w/chain attached. Inside: w/
mirror, coiled saw blade, wire mesh,
ms0293_obj_0056
1997-1999
Physical Description: 5" x 8" 1
1/2"
Box 12
Blue metal box w/ working gears on front cover, chain attached; Inside: chain
driven gears, orange metal notebook w/die, gears, wire mesh pages,
ms0293_obj_0064
1997-1999
Physical Description: 12" x 5 1/2" x 1
1/2"
Box 13
Wood box w/ chain saw blade & wire mesh imbedded on cover: Inside: metal
tool box w/wooden balls & metal hooks (floats), metal pages w/ smashed bottle
caps, aluminum rounds, mesh, etc.,
ms0293_obj_0061
1997-1999
Physical Description: 11 1/2" x 19" x 4
1/2"
Box 14
Metal 'book' w/ pipe binding, wire mesh page, saw blade page, tail light
page, etc.,
ms0293_obj_0062
1997-1999
Physical Description: 13" x 21" x 2
1/2"
Box 15
Metal 'book' w/ pipe binding, Wire mesh page w/purple bits, saw blade &
copper page, stove difuser page, etc.,
ms0293_obj_0063
1997-1999
Physical Description: 23" x 13 1/2" x 2
1/2"
Box 16
Multi-colored metal tray book, 8 pages, ms0293_obj_0040
1997-1999
Physical Description: 9"w x 14"l x 3 1/2"
h
Box 16
Metal slide box w/ nutmeg grater - otherwise empty - "E-G", ms0293_obj_0041
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Box 16
Metal slide box w/hinged & unhinged playing cards, empty frame &
metal page - "H-J" #4,
ms0293_obj_0042
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Box 16
Metal slide box w/cloth doll, burnt candles, 4 2x2" slides, filled vials,
men's 15 1/2" paper collar, lighter, bits & pieces - "C-D" #2,
ms0293_obj_0043
1997-1999
Physical Description: 8"w x 13"l x 3"
h
Floor Lamp, ms0293_obj_0001
1997-1999
Physical Description: 16"l x 16"w x
66"h
#1 Desk Lamp, ms0293_obj_0002
1997-1999
#2 Desk lamp, ms0293_obj_0003
1997-1999
#1 Bookcase (wall), ms0293_obj_0004
1997-1999
Physical Description: 89"l x 50"w x
6"deep
#2 Bookcase (wall), ms0293_obj_0005
1997-1999
Physical Description: 89"l x 50"w x
6"deep
Small desktop book shelf, ms0293_obj_0006
1997-1999
Physical Description: 32"l x 14"w x
24"h
Small bookcase, ms0293_obj_0007
1997-1999
Physical Description: 37"h x 36"w x 9"
deep
Book cart w/attached book cradle, yellow, ms0293_obj_0008
1997-1999
Physical Description: 27"l x 16"w x
38"h
Book cart w/attached book cradle and chained book, green, ms0293_obj_0009
1997-1999
Physical Description: 28"l x 16"w x
39"h
Book cart w/attached book cradle and book attached, rusted metal, ms0293_obj_0010
1997-1999
Physical Description: 27"l x 16"w x
38"h
1 decorative tin panel, fan motif, ms0293_obj_0011
1997-1999
Physical Description: 20" x
20"
#1 Wood/metal bookshelf, ms0293_obj_0012
1997-1999
Physical Description: 31"l x 37"w x
3"h
#2 Wood/metal bookshelf, ms0293_obj_0013
1997-1999
Physical Description: 31"l x 37"w x
3"h
#3 Wood/metal bookshelf, ms0293_obj_0014
1997-1999
Physical Description: 31"l x 37"w x
3"h
Red pedestal table w/attached book cradle, ms0293_obj_0015
1997-1999
Physical Description: 12"l x 16"w x
31.5"h
#1 metal fold up chair, folded, ms0293_obj_0016
1997-1999
Physical Description: 18"l x 3"w x
38"h
#2 metal fold up chair, folded, ms0293_obj_0017
1997-1999
Physical Description: 18"l x 3"w x
38"h
#3 metal fold up chair, folded, ms0293_obj_0018
1997-1999
Physical Description: 18"l x 3"w x
38"h
#4 metal fold up chair, folded, ms0293_obj_0019
1997-1999
Physical Description: 18"l x 3"w x
38"h
#5 metal fold up chair, folded, ms0293_obj_0020
1997-1999
Physical Description: 18"l x 3"w x
38"h
#6 metal fold up chair, folded, ms0293_obj_0021
1997-1999
Physical Description: 18"l x 3"w x
38"h
#7 metal fold up chair, folded, ms0293_obj_0022
1997-1999
Physical Description: 18"l x 3"w x
38"h
#8 metal fold up chair, folded, ms0293_obj_0023
1997-1999
Physical Description: 18"l x 3"w x
38"h
1 metal mesh side chair, ms0293_obj_0024
1997-1999
Physical Description: 20"l x 20"w x
31"h
1 metal mesh garden arm chair, ms0293_obj_0025
1997-1999
Physical Description: 24"l x 24"w" x
31"h
1 metal/wood chair, ms0293_obj_0026
1997-1999
Physical Description: 30"l x 14"w x
14"h
1 table, ms0293_obj_0027
1997-1999
Physical Description: 40"l x 25"w x
26"h
1 metal sign "Biblioteca Memoria", ms0293_obj_0028
1997-1999
Physical Description: 36"l x 5"w x
1"h
1 metal table frame w/o top, ms0293_obj_0029
1997-1999
Physical Description: 36"l x 36"w x
30"h
1 metal school desk, ms0293_obj_0030
1997-1999
Physical Description: 24"l x 18"w x
29"h
1 round metal mesh patio table w/attached book cradle, approx. 24"
diameter,
ms0293_obj_0031
1997-1999
Physical Description: 24" diameter x
30"h
#1 roll of sheet metal, blue outside, ms0293_obj_0032
1997-1999
Physical Description: 48"l x
15"diameter
#2 roll of sheet metal, blue outside, ms0293_obj_0033
1997-1999
Physical Description: 48"l x
15"diameter
#3 roll of sheet metal, blue outside w/wood grain paper lining, ms0293_obj_0034
1997-1999
Physical Description: 48"l x
15"diameter
#4 roll of sheet metal, blue outside w/wood grain paper lining, ms0293_obj_0035
1997-1999
Physical Description: 48"l x
15"diameter
#1 Metal grate, ms0293_obj_0036
1997-1999
Physical Description: 55"l x 30"w x
4"h
#2 Metal grate, ms0293_obj_0037
1997-1999
Physical Description: 60"l x 44"w x
4"h
1 Metal square pedestal table, ms0293_obj_0038
1997-1999
Physical Description: 30"l x 17"w x
28"h
Metal table/desk w/metal scroll work [ms0293_obj_0006 is the bookshelf made
for this table/desk],
ms0293_obj_0039
1997-1999
Physical Description: 40 1/2"l x 25" w x 25
1/2"h
