Abe Ajay

Abraham (Abe) Ajay (1919–1998) was an artist who was best known for his artistic contributions for New Masses magazine during the late 1930s and early 1940s.^[1] and also for his creative use of reliefs made of found objects during the 1960s and beyond.^[2]Abraham Ajay was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania in 1919^[2] to Syrian immigrant parents.^[2] Ajay grew up working at his father’s candy store and bar in Altoona until he graduated from high school.^[2] From an early age, Ajay had a passion for art and sought to harness his artistic abilities when he made the decision to move to New York City^[2] to study at the Art Students League of New York,^[3] and the American Artists School in Manhattan.^[3]

While studying in New York, Ajay became close friends with Ad Reinhardt,^[3] the art director for the left-wing culture magazine New Masses,^[3] who inspired him to begin working for the magazine.^[3] Ajay’s contributions during the late 1930s and early 1940s to New Masses were significant. Along with Reinhardt, Ajay helped to shape the artistic direction of New Masses during a period where the magazine incurred financial hardships.^[1] Ajay’s contributions of covers and cartoons helped to give New Masses a strong artistic presence despite the overall decline of the magazine during the period.^[1] A lack of funding helped precipitate Ajay’s departure from New Masses and as the years went on, his support for Communism waned.^[1]

In the 1960s Ajay began to produce reliefs made of found objects.^[4] Later his often intricate constructions, created from tooled wood, gypsum and cast plastics, reminded may art historians of the sculptures of Louise Nevelson.^[4] In addition, many critics believe that Ajay’s work illustrates religious architecture. It was during this time period where Ajay achieved considerable acclaim within the art community.^[2]

During the latter portion of his life, Ajay busied himself with several academic endeavors. Ajay was a professor of visual arts at State University College at Purchase, N.Y from 1978 until his health began deteriorating towards the mid to late 1990s.^[2] Following a move back to Bethel, Pennsylvania,^[2] Ajay died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1998 at the age of 78.^[2] He was survived by his wife, Betty Raymond.^[2] Ajay’s work is contained in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington.^[2] In addition, Ajay’s work with New Masses is available in existing copies of the magazine found throughout the country.^[1]

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