The Rolf Nelson Gallery made a significant contribution to the vibrant Southern California art scene of the 1960s by exhibiting emerging as well as established artists. The archive contains correspondence, photographs, and printed ephemera related to the operation of the gallery and Nelson's subsequent work as a private dealer. The collection is rich in materials from Lowell Nesbitt, Georgia O'Keeffe, Judy Chicago, Robert Indiana, Harry Partch and George Herms.

The Rolf Nelson Gallery made a significant contribution to the vibrant Southern California art scene of the 1960s by exhibiting emerging as well as established artists. Born in Brooklyn in 1935 to Norwegian immigrant parents, Rolf Nelson began his career at the Martha Jackson Gallery in New York in the early 1960s. After moving to Los Angeles in 1962 Nelson worked at the Southern California branch of the San Francisco-based Dilexi Gallery. By 1963 he had opened his own gallery in Los Angeles on La Cienega Boulevard. The gallery was subsequently moved to two other locations on La Cienega Boulevard, gradually expanding with each move. The Rolf Nelson Gallery played an integral role in disseminating art of the pop movement in the 1960s and promoting emerging artists such as Llyn Foulkes, George Herms and Jess, along with more established artists including Georgia O'Keeffe, Judy Chicago and Alfred Jensen. In 1966 Nelson closed his gallery and worked as a private dealer. He returned to New York by 1972 and retired soon thereafter.

7.7 linear feet (11 boxes)

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Open for use by qualified researchers.