The papers of technical artist, fabricator, and conservator Jack Brogan measure 4.25 linear feet and date from 1968 to 2016 with the bulk of the collection dating from 1971 to 2009. The collection documents Brogan's collaboration with many artists associated with Southern California Light and Space art to help realize their ideas. Papers include biographical material, project files, printed material, photographic material, and artwork. There is a 2.0 linear foot unprocessed addition to this collection donated in 2020 that includes files related to projects with Robert Irwin, Tony DeLap, Robert Therrien, Philip Aziz, Peter Alexander, Roy Lichtenstein, Lita Albuquerque and others. Some files relate to repairs to work by Lynda Benglis, Larry Bell, John McCracken, Hal Metzer. Several files relate to projects Brogan worked on for churches and synagogues, including First Baptiste Church, Pomona, California. Many contain multiple original drawings, sketches, and notes by artists. Material dates from 1973-2014.
Scope and Contents:
The papers of technical artist, fabricator, and conservator Jack Brogan measure 4.25 linear feet and date from 1968 to 2016 with the bulk of the collection dating from 1971 to 2009. The collection documents Brogan's collaboration with many artists associated with Southern California Light and Space art to help realize their ideas. Papers include biographical material, project files, printed material, photographic material, and artwork. There is a 2.0 linear foot unprocessed addition to this collection donated in 2020 that includes files related to projects with Robert Irwin, Tony DeLap, Robert Therrien, Philip Aziz, Peter Alexander, Roy Lichtenstein, Lita Albuquerque and others. Some files relate to repairs to work by Lynda Benglis, Larry Bell, John McCracken, Hal Metzer. Several files relate to projects Brogan worked on for churches and synagogues, including First Baptiste Church, Pomona, California. Many contain multiple original drawings, sketches, and notes by artists. Material dates from 1973-2014.
Biographical material includes resumes; correspondence; materials related to Jack Brogan's business, Design Concepts; interview drafts; and writings about Brogan.
Project files include research material related to companies and products, as well as files for fabrication and conservation projects in collaboration with artists, including Tony DeLap, James Turrell, Lynda Benglis, Robert Therrien, Robert Irwin, and others. These files typically include financial information, notes, and correspondence, and may also include photographic material, sketches, and printed material.
Printed material includes exhibition announcements and catalogs, press releases, magazines, newspaper and magazine clippings, published interviews, newsletters, and a transcript of the dedication ceremonies for the bicentennial sculpture, Flight, in Fullerton, California.
Photographic material includes contact sheets, negatives, photographs, slides, snapshots, and transparencies, primarily depicting works of art and installation. Also included are images of works of art in Brogan's studio and personal snapshots.
Artwork includes sketches and designs for unidentified projects.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in six series.
Series 1: Biographical Material, 1973-2011 (Box 1; 7 folders)
Series 2: Project Files, circa 1969-2016 (Boxes 1-2, OV 4; 1.2 linear feet)
Series 3: Printed Material, 1970-2012 (Box 2, OV 5; 0.3 linear feet)
Series 4: Photographic Material, circa 1969-circa 1990s, undated (Boxes 2-3; 1.1 linear feet)
Series 5: Artwork, 1988, undated (Box 2, OV 4; 0.1 linear feet)
Series 6: Unprocessed Addition (Boxes 6-7, 2.0 linear feet)
Biographical / Historical:
Jack Brogan (1930-) is a technical artist, fabricator, and conservator in Los Angeles, California. Born and raised in Tennessee, Brogan moved to Los Angeles in 1958, where he opened a cabinetmaking and furniture repair shop. After he met and began working with Robert Irwin, word spread of his expertise and other artists sought him out to work with on their own pieces. In 1965 Brogan founded his business, Design Concepts, to address the varying material and production needs of the artists, architects, and industrial designers he works with to fabricate prototypes and unique objects.
Brogan built prototypes for Lockheed, NASA, and has provided custom interior furnishings for numerous commercial and residential spaces. His ability to address projects that are technically challenging due to unconventional methods or limited production runs has also proved well-suited to the concerns and working methods of visual artists. Among his most noteworthy projects are those of Robert Irwin, including a series of prismatic acrylic columns from 1969-1970 and a major commission for the Central Garden of the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
Provenance:
The papers were donated to the Archives of American Art by Jack Brogan in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Occupation:
Conservators -- California -- Los Angeles Search this
Rogala, Dawn V. 2016. Hans Hofmann's Last Lesson: A Study of the Artist's Materials During the Last Decade of His Career [presentation]. November 8, 2016. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: Fine Arts Museum Zanabazar.
