Edward Boccia: A Crossroads of Italian-American History and Art
Presenter Major
History
Presentation Type
Oral
Location
Hays Theatre, Wilbur Arts Building
Start Date
26-4-2024 10:30 AM
End Date
26-4-2024 10:35 AM
Description (Abstract)
The Second Wave of immigration to America circa 1900 included many Italians from the agricultural south of Italy. Artist, poet, and professor Edward Boccia was an Italian-American artist born in 1921 to such immigrants. The artist’s cultural and religious upbringing would inform a lifetime of making. Despite growing up in Newark, New Jersey, and away from the immigration epicenter of the country, his experience was not a far cry from those residing in New York City. There were, of course, the cultural gaps between him and his parents, which is experienced by any child of immigrants regardless of geographical location and culture. Boccia’s life is an example of the impact of historical norms associated with first-generation Italian-Americans of the 20th century and a fascinating story of one artist’s path through art. Research has focused on this aspect of the artist’s development as reflected in his visual art production.
*NOTE: Audrey's research will contribute to the book on Edward Boccia by Rosa JH Berland to be published by Hirmer Verlag Munich*
Keywords
Italian American, Italian American art, 20th century America, American history, immigration, Italian immigration, first generation American, catholicism, modern art, Second Wave Immigration
Related Pillar(s)
Community, Spirituality
Edward Boccia: A Crossroads of Italian-American History and Art
Hays Theatre, Wilbur Arts Building
The Second Wave of immigration to America circa 1900 included many Italians from the agricultural south of Italy. Artist, poet, and professor Edward Boccia was an Italian-American artist born in 1921 to such immigrants. The artist’s cultural and religious upbringing would inform a lifetime of making. Despite growing up in Newark, New Jersey, and away from the immigration epicenter of the country, his experience was not a far cry from those residing in New York City. There were, of course, the cultural gaps between him and his parents, which is experienced by any child of immigrants regardless of geographical location and culture. Boccia’s life is an example of the impact of historical norms associated with first-generation Italian-Americans of the 20th century and a fascinating story of one artist’s path through art. Research has focused on this aspect of the artist’s development as reflected in his visual art production.
*NOTE: Audrey's research will contribute to the book on Edward Boccia by Rosa JH Berland to be published by Hirmer Verlag Munich*
