Dawn Clements papers (Ms.2019.010)

This collection consists of the personal and professional papers of Dawn Clements (1958-2018), a 1986 graduate of the Brown University and a contemporary artist who was known for her work with Sumi ink and ballpoint pen on small to large-scale paper panels. The collection includes personal correspondence, diaries, photos, research notes, paintings and sketches with the bulk dating from 1970-2018. This collection is arranged into 9 series.

Series 1, PERSONAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, 1933-2018, includes artist statements, biographies, calendars, food diaries, and educational files that include diplomas and student papers. Of particular interest are Clements' personal diaries dating from 1968 through 1988 in which she discusses her mental health and body image challenges, personal relationships, and more general daily life. This series is arranged alphabetically by record type and then chronologically.

Series 2, CORRESPONDENCE, 1973-2018, contains personal and professional correspondence. The personal correspondence addresses her 1974 hospitalization after getting hit by a car and suffering bodily injuries and a concussion; her personal relationships with Kevin Murphy, James Barron, and her mother; as well as final words to her while she was in hospice for breast cancer in 2018. The professional correspondence addresses fellowships, participation in exhibitions, and her teaching career. Some correspondence includes photographs. Additional photographs can be found in Series 6, Photographs, and Series 8, Oversize Material. This series is arranged alphabetically then chronologically.

Series 3, FINE ART AND RELATED, 1908-2017, is arranged into 3 subseries. Subseries 1, Artworks, 1976-2015; Subseries 2, Exhibits, 1989-2017; Subseries 3, Research, 1908-2016.

Series 3, subseries 1, ARTWORKS, 1976-2015, contains calligraphy, needle arts, paintings, pen and ink drawings, sketchbooks, and sketches. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by record type.

Series 3, subseries 2, EXHIBITS, 1989-2017, contains agreements, artwork labels and prices, booklets, notes, postcards, and posters relating to Clements' exhibits. Four folders contain postcards from other artists' exhibits. Larger exhibit files regard the Aperto (1993), Bump (1996), and Conditions of Desire (2007) shows. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by record type.

Series 3, subseries 3, RESEARCH, 1908-2016, primarily includes loose notes, notebooks, printouts, and receipts for movies. Most notes regard unidentified topics, but several are related to movies or art theory. Most notebooks have been unbound for preservation purposes. Other items in this subseries include cultural iconography in the form of Christmas decorations and church fans, as well as an "herbarium and plant descriptions" scrapbook from 1908. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by record type and then chronologically.

Series 4, TEACHING, 1990-2014, includes syllabi, lecture notes, and readings. Courses include Advanced Drawing Techniques, Drawing, Drawing from Life, Still Life and Meaning, and Two-Dimensional Design. This series is arranged alphabetically by institution.

Series 5, PRINT MATERIAL, 1888-2004, contains books, magazines, and zines. Books include, "A Tune a Day" sheet music, "Figure Quarterly" figure drawing book, and several annotated Girl Scout handbooks. Zines include "Bethea Comics," "Robert Melee's Home Movies," and "Taffy Hips number 5." This series is arranged alphabetically by record type and then by title.

Series 6, PHOTOGRAPHS, 1900-2016, contains black and white and color photos of Clements as well as her exhibits, holidays, travel, and wedding. Photographs of television and actors as well as many of the portraits and vintage photos were used as research for her artwork. Additional photographs can be found in Series 2, Correspondence, and Series 8, Oversize Material. This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series 7, MEMORABILIA, 1900-1975, contains several of Clements' personal objects. Items include an apron used for painting, class and political pins, hair pins, a clutch, and high heels. This series is arranged alphabetically by item.

Series 8, OVERSIZE MATERIAL, 1960-2018, contains artwork by Clements such as sketches and paintings, artwork gifted to Clements, elevations of exhibit areas, handwritten notes, photos, and posters. Posters relate to Clements' exhibits as well as film societies she participated in as an undergraduate at Brown University. This series is arranged alphabetically by record type.

Series 9, ELECTRONIC RECORDS, 1970-2013, contains a 3.5-inch floppy disk, audio cassette tapes, CDs, a DVD, film, a record, and a VHS tape. Files primarily relate to Clements' exhibits, lectures, and presentations. The film is a home movie from approximately 1970. This series is arranged alphabetically by record type then by title on the carrier.