THIBODAUX, La. 鈥� Dr. Ashley Busby, assistant professor of art history at 麻豆果冻传媒, is an invited contributor for the newly released book published by Radius Books.聽
Released on Oct. 24, 鈥淒orothy Fratt: Works” was published in conjunction with the first major retrospective of the artist, set to open in February 2024 at the . The fully illustrated monograph features essays from the exhibition鈥檚 curators, conversations with contemporary artists impacted by Fratt鈥檚 work and an extended biography penned by Dr. Busby. Largely unrecognized during her lifetime, this book and the upcoming exhibition will help further introduce Fratt and her work to the larger art world.聽
Dr. Busby first encountered Fratt鈥檚 work while putting together a 2019 at the Lula Ameen Gallery at 麻豆果冻传媒. The exhibition allowed her to cultivate a unique friendship with the artist鈥檚 son, Fr. Gregory Fratt, retired Houma-Thibodaux diocese priest, who provided unique access to the artist鈥檚 works. In subsequent years, she has published several essays on the artist and presented her work at national conferences.聽聽
鈥淚 am so grateful to Fr. Gregory Fratt for entrusting me with the scholarly analysis and research on his mother鈥檚 complete body of work. Despite limited recognition in her lifetime, Dorothy was a trailblazer in abstraction. I鈥檓 so happy to serve as a steward for and expert on her work,鈥� said Dr. Busby.
In October, Dr. Busby also gave a talk entitled 鈥淲hat鈥檚 in a Name? The Praxis and Interpretation of Titles in the Work of Dorothy Fratt鈥� at the SECAC 2023 National Conference in Richmond, Virginia. Her talk was selected for inclusion on a panel entitled 鈥淭itles in Art: Reading by and Against the Title鈥� chaired by Dr. Roja Najafi from Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Dr. Busby鈥檚 talk examined the role of titles in our understanding of abstract painting, using the work of post-war abstractionist Dorothy Fratt as a case study.聽
While at the conference, Dr. Busby also continued to serve as the Louisiana State Board Member for SECAC, attending meetings focused on the organization鈥檚 future. Busby said, 鈥淪ECAC provides a necessary and collaborative space for scholarship.聽 I鈥檓 honored to represent Louisiana and to help envision a future for the conference and the organization in an ever-changing academic landscape.鈥�
About 麻豆果冻传媒 Art Department聽
The 麻豆果冻传媒 Department of Art aims to provide quality studies in all visual media and the skills needed for employment or continued studies. The Bachelor of Fine Arts program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. To learn more about 麻豆果冻传媒 Department of Art, visit /art/.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 16, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Suire
Media Relations & Publications Coordinator,聽
985.448.4141 or payton.suire@nicholls.edu