An interview with John Ollman conducted 1989 Aug. 10 by Lynda Hartigan for the Archives of American Art Philadelphia Project. Ollman discusses his studies at Indiana University and his connections with the Folklore Department, before moving to Philadelphia. He speaks of his tenure as director of the Janet Fleisher Gallery, including the gallery's early history as the Little Gallery, and the changes he instituted including the name and focus; the exhibitions mounted of African, Oceanic, pre-Columbian, folk art, and the art of 20th century self-taught artists; the growing interest in the work of self-taught artists; an exhibit at the Philadelphia College of Art entitled "Transmitters: The Isolate Artist in America"; the market in Philadelphia and nationally for the work of self-taught artists; his work with Kathy Lenox of the Phyllis Kind Gallery; Bert Hemphill's collection and Hemphill's effect on the folk art field in the United States; the work of Bill Traylor, Martin Ramirez, and other self-taught artists; dealers and collectors he has been associated with.
Citation:
Interview with John Ollman, 1989 Aug. 10. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Additional Forms:
Transcript: 35mm microfilm reel 4778 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Biography Note:
John Ollman (1942-) is an art dealer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Language Note:
English .
Provenance:
Donated 1990 by John Ollman.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
