Giorgio Cavallon, 85; Abstract Artist of Depression Era

Giorgio Cavallon, 85, an artist considered a pioneer in abstract expressionism, has died in New York.

Cavallon, who died Friday, was a native of Italy and came to the United States in 1920. In1936, he was a founding member of the American Abstract Artists, a radical organization for its day. He was a member of the now famous WPA artists group in the Depression.

Although not widely known, he is said to have had a wide following among artists and poets. His first exhibit in Los Angeles came only last month at the Manny Silverman Gallery on La Cienega Boulevard. At that time, Times critic Marlena Donohue said of the exhibit, “His native Venice inspires the bright, light drenched patches of transparent color, fitted together flatly like a free-form quilt.”

He was also famous for his preference for making everything with his own hands. He made his own paints, motorized his pasta machine, built his own freezer, stove and sofa and was said to have taken apart and put together automobiles.