Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Which Way, L.A.?

    Which Way, L.A.?

    Remembering Artist Helen Frankenthaler

    Helen Frankenthaler passed away at her home in Darien, Connecticut, yesterday. She was one of the most influential artists of her time, a second-generation Abstract Expressionist who developed a method of painting best known as Color Field.

    • rss
    • Share
    KCRW placeholderBy Sara Terry • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Helen Frankenthaler passed away at her home in Darien, Connecticut, yesterday. She was one of the most influential artists of her time, a second-generation Abstract Expressionist who developed a method of painting best known as Color Field. She lived a glamorous life, from her marriage to Robert Motherwell through her later years, including a dance at the White House with a man who turned out to be John Travolta. Art historian Phyllis Tuchman has written for many publications including Art Forum, Art in America and Obit magazine. She knew Frankenthaler as a friend for 43 years.

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sara Terry

      The Aftermath Project

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Caitlin Shamberg

      KCRW

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

    • KCRW placeholder

      Phyllis Tuchman

      art historian and journalist

      News
    Back to Which Way, L.A.?