Irving Kriesberg combined figural elements with Abstract Expressionism; as in this painting where a figure can be discerned running downstairs. The title “Subway” is evoked by the abstract shapes and colors that convey motion. Kriesberg’s work included abstraction of figures, symbolism, and the influence of the countries he lived in—Mexico, India, and Japan.

Kriesberg received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Art Institute of Chicago and a Masters degree from New York University. In 1946 he was in a two person show organized by The Art Institute of Chicago and in 1952 Kriesberg was in the exhibition “Fifteen American” at MoMA. After his first solo exhibition in 1955 he followed with 33 solo exhibitions throughout his career. Kriesberg has received two Ford Foundation Grants, two Pollock-Krasner Awards, a National Endowment for the Arts Award, a Fulbright Fellowship, and the Guggenheim Foundation Memorial Award. Kriesberg held several important teaching positions including Yale University Graduate School 1962-1971; Washington University St. Louis, State University New York 1972-1977; Columbia University 1977-1979. Kriesberg wrote books on color and art theory including Art: The Visual Experience and Working with Color.