Jesselyn Benson Zurik (American/Louisiana, 1916-2012), "Untitled", ink on paper, signed lower right, 13 3/4 in. x 11 in., matted, overall 17 1/2 in. x 12 in. Note: New Orleans native and important American minimalist artist, Jesselyn Benson Zurik excelled in creating sculptural assemblages imbued with architectural and industrial elements. Zurik attended Lafayette School and the Arts and Crafts School of New Orleans before enrolling in Isidore Newman School. While at Newman, she served as art editor of the Pioneer from 1931 to 1934. In 1934, Zurik then enrolled in Sophie Newcomb College at Tulane University, where she received a Bachelor of Design in 1938. During her time at Newcomb, Zurik studied under some of the great arts educators in the South of the time, including Xavier Gonzales, Will Henry Stevens and Caroline Durieux. In the pre-war years, Zurik worked as an illustrator for Katz & Besthoff Drug Company, Adler's Jewelry Store and D.H. Holmes. During World War II, she served as a naval draftsperson for Andrew Higgins of Higgins Industries. After the war, Zurik returned to a prolific art career, completing additional years of study at Newcomb College, and creating assemblage pieces, as well as oil paintings, charcoals and pen and inks. Zurik?s work hangs in numerous public and private collections throughout the United States, Canada, England, France, Israel, Italy and Switzerland. Her art was exhibited in over 250 juried or invitational shows and thirty-four one-woman shows. She received twenty-one awards for her exemplary artwork, which has been documented in fifty-six art publications. Zurik was an original member-artist of the Glade Gallery of New Orleans and had a one-woman show there in 1966.

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