Emile Norman, one of the most prominent artists and sculptors in Big Sur history, and a longtime pioneer for gay rights, died in Monterey Thursday at 91.
Norman was perhaps best known for his mosaic windows and statuary on the facade of Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco.
Although his far-reaching career, in a variety of media, from jewelry to paintings, prints, sculpture, textiles and castings, brought him international fame, he moved to Biig Sur in 1946 with his long-time life partner Brooks Clement in 1946. Although he also lived and exhibited in New York, he moved back to Monterey County after a final show there in 1961, and opened his own gallery in Carmel-by-the-Sea, preferring the wilds of California to the hothouse New York art world.
In 2006. he was the subject of the PBS documentary, "Emile Norman: By His Own Design,'' directed by Will Parrrinello and produced by Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry, portraying his life, career and long-time love affair with Clement.
The mural window for the Masonic Auditorium was commissioned in 1955 by the California Masons. "Norman spent about two years creating the luminous 38-by-48 foot mural that celebrates the Masons role in the development of California,'' the San Francisco Chronicle reported. "Using an innovative technique he invited and called 'endo-mosaic'- he sandwiched images made with glass, fabric, metal, shells and dirt between two sheets of translucent plastic - the artist depicted sailors and farmers and fishermen, covered wagons, steamships, oil derricks, cattle picks, ice tongs, strawberies and hearths'' in 45 panels trucked up from Norman's Big Sur studio.
Born in 1918 in San Gabrel, California, Norman's parents were walnut ranchers; he drew on agricultural themes throughout his career, despite being discouraged from becoming an artist by his parents.
He lasted only day at a local college after an art instructor criticized his work, and turned to window displays for department stores in Los Angeles and New York, where he had his first solo show at the Feingarten Gallery.
His death was announced by his caregiver, Jeff Mallory.
Memorial donation may be sent to the Emile Norman Charitable Trust, set up in 2005 to preserve his legacy and support the arts, at 45955 Pfeiffer Ridge Road, Big Sur, 93920.