'Charlotte and Jim: A Personal Reminiscence' at The Leiber Collection

The Leiber Collection will host “Charlotte and Jim: A Personal Reminiscence,” on Sunday, September 21, at 4 p.m. with artist Mike Solomon in conversation with Christine Berry of Berry Campbell Gallery, New York. The event will offer unique insight into the lives and artistic legacies of Charlotte Park (1918–2010) and James Brooks (1906–1992), two distinguished figures of American Abstract Expressionism.

Solomon, whose very close relationship with Park and Brooks spanned the days of his childhood until their deaths, will share personal stories about the couple as artists and residents of the East End, and discuss their contributions to the East End arts community. His firsthand experiences provide an invaluable perspective on both their creative practices and personal lives.

The conversation will be moderated by Berry, whose gallery represents the estates of both Park and Brooks and has played a pivotal role in advancing scholarship and visibility for their work.

Charlotte Park was a noted Abstract Expressionist painter whose lyrical, gestural canvases have been celebrated for their bold color and dynamic composition. Though long underrecognized, her work has gained renewed attention for its originality and its contributions to the Abstract Expressionist movement. James Brooks, also associated with Abstract Expressionism, was widely acclaimed for his innovations in painting, including his fluid use of staining techniques that transformed the language of painting in the mid-20th century. Both Park and Brooks lived and worked on the East End, where their home and studios became places of creativity, friendship and artistic exchange within a thriving community of postwar artists. Together, Park and Brooks were central figures in the East End art community, maintaining deep connections with peers such as Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner and Willem de Kooning.

This program is part of The Leiber Collection’s continuing commitment to celebrating the rich artistic heritage of the East End. To reserve tickets, visit leibercollection.org. The Leiber Collection is located at 446 Old Stone Highway in the East Hampton hamlet of Springs. For more information, call 631-329-3288.