Born to Italian immigrants, Pat Trivigno began teaching fine art at Tulane in 1947. He would remain in his position for 43 years, before finally retiring in 1989. During this time, his work flourished, as he was heralded as an innovator in the art world, even being declared at one time “the first abstract expressionist in New Orleans”.

While this term is certainly appropriate, it is difficult to attribute a single influential figure or movement to Trivigno’s work. Influences of Salvador Dali, Mexican Surrealism, and even hints of Duchamp’s frenzied cubism fill his canvases. In Untitled, Trivigno experiments with movement and contrast, staining and segmenting the canvas with almost watercolor-like patterning. Pat Trivigno’s work not only represents the rich artistic tradition of Tulane, but also its intersections with the study of Mesoamerican culture and the experimental art scenes of 20th century New Orleans.

• overall, frame Dimensions: 62 x 14 in. (1574.8 x 355.6 mm)

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