A gifted, overlooked artist has been working diligently for 50 years in a tiny studio loft in Manhattan’s Flower District. His hermitic lifestyle and idiosyncratic persona makes him an outlier in the art world at large. Waist deep in an accumulation of paintings and sculptures, Bob says, “I’ve retired from art.” Two artists use film to perform an “intervention” reinvigorating Bob’s career—and just in time to save BOB'S WORLD.
eidiahouse (at) earthlink.net for inquires and the link with password for a private viewing of the entire 40 minute film.
Robert Allen Witz Estate
Bob's life-long art production, the Bob Witz Archive, remains intact in his tiny 740 sq.ft loft in Chelsea Manhattan-as he left it February 23, 2021. As we are trying to keep the massive groupings of his sculptures, paintings, bronzes, numerous notebooks and works on paper together in his studio, we seek a gallery or museum to acquire or represent his total oeuvre.
To view the 3 minute Bob Witz Studio Tour
Link to BOB'S WORLD The Film PR Kit
eidiahouse (at) earthlink.net for inquires and the link with password for a private viewing of the entire 40 minute film.
Robert Allen Witz Estate
Bob's life-long art production, the Bob Witz Archive, remains intact in his tiny 740 sq.ft loft in Chelsea Manhattan-as he left it February 23, 2021. As we are trying to keep the massive groupings of his sculptures, paintings, bronzes, numerous notebooks and works on paper together in his studio, we seek a gallery or museum to acquire or represent his total oeuvre.
To view the 3 minute Bob Witz Studio Tour
Link to BOB'S WORLD The Film PR Kit
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Bob Witz Photo ©1992 Tom Warren
The artworks below are a sampling of Bob Witz artist, poet, and publisher, (August 9, 1934 – February 23, 2021) paintings and sculpture series; Milk Cartons, Totems, and Monuments. Sizes vary from 8x10 inches to 7 x 7 feet.
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The Notorious R.W.
by Bill Jensen
Robert Witz (R.W.), known to his friends as Bob, became notorious in the Midwest early 1970s because of an article published in “Artforum” of letters that Bob had written attaching the critical views of the then editor, Robert Pincus Witten. Pincus Witten found these letters very interesting in their counter culture attitudes. So, he published all of them in an article. We in the Midwest had very few “Local” Art Heroes. Bob Witz and Tomah, Wisconsin became a pilgrimage site for young artist. They were not disappointed.
“The Notorious R.W.” was the real thing. A real Artist dedicated to Art, whose whole life was structured around the support of that Art. He lived a very simple “Sage Like” existence which continued throughout his life. In Tomah Bob (R.W.) worked as a civilian for the Army. Usually in the warehouse moving heavy objects. Bob dedicated himself to his Collages, Paintings, and Poetry. Bob had and has read everything of importance, all the Classics of the Western Tradition and more. He was versed in all of it. He would send all of us postcards with quotes on them from famous writers; Nietzsche, Milton, Homer, Shakespeare, etc., all to help us in our life. He was very active and vocal in the Cultural and Political scene in Madison, Wisconsin during the Anti-War protest.
Shortly after the publication of the “Artforum” article, The Notorious R.W. must have felt a need to be in the center of the storm at that time. He moved to New York City and set up a small studio and living space on Grand St. in SoHo. SoHo in the early day, before legalization, was like the wild west. Filled with Artist, Musicians, Poets, Truck Drivers, Day Laborers, seedy bars, and small store front gallery, all giving it a feeling of pioneering. Bob fit right in. Instead of working for the Army, Bob supported himself as a construction laborer. But even as a laborer on a construction site, Bob gained notoriety. Sheet Rock, a heavy board of plaster, had just come into the NYC construction arena. The heaviest board was 5/8”thick by 4’wide and 8’long. Truckloads of Sheet Rock, two sheets taped together, would arrive at a construction site and needed to be carried up—often 2 or 3 stories. All laborers would untape the double sheets, so that only one sheet would carry up. But not “The Notorious R.W,” at 130 lbs Bob would carry these double sheets up all day long. He earned the title “Double 5/8 Bob” from all the truck drivers. In spite of heavy physical labor, Bob’s mind was free of complexities and that allowed him clarity in his Art. This “Frontier” neighborhood with its cheap rent also allowed Bob to work only a few days a month, much better than full time Army warehouse work back in Tomah.
Bob became notorious in another way. He could live on one can of Campbell’s “Hungry Man” Beef Stew for three or four days. He gained the title ”2 Can Bob,” because he could live for one week on 2 cans of that stew.
He had his living down to the simplest of needs, and his art materials as well. Using leftover empty frozen orange juice cylinders, rectangular used milk cartons, shoe boxes, cardboard boxes and discarded paper bags (from the local liquor store) these he rolled into ribbons to wrap his sculptures. He would buy his paint on sale at Hardware stores in the neighborhood. He was a great recycler of material, all for the lowest overhead. The sculptures he made from these simple troves of materials took on the caricatures of urban buildings and the people in the streets. Each image was unique, but they all could be part of a family. They became more portrait like, which led Bob back into painting on a flat surface. These new portraits of friend had a new ‘search for realism’ style, demanding a closer attention to detail that anything Bob had ever done. These singular portraits, with their deep psychological penetration, blossomed into large paintings of many personalities. Rock Stars, Famous Writers, Poets, and Politicians entered paintings from all angles—upside down, sideways left, sideways right and right-side-up. Areas between the portraits were filled with multicolored dots so that the paintings became a kaleidoscope of characters and abstract vibrations. They were very disquieting, with no top, no bottom, swirling with urban energy.
During all this time Bob had also produced an underground Art and Poetry magazine called “Appearances”. As Editor, his founding principle was that anyone could put in a poem or a photo of their Art. The only restriction would be on the amount Bob could raise by himself for publishing. It was the ‘Salon des Indépendants’ and the inspiration for the “Brooklyn Rail”.
Bob’s art practice has always been very direct. There is a raw sense of urgency that transports you into his world. It has been said that Bob, “The Notorious R.W.” is in an orbit of his own. His work is impossible to categorize. He was called an “Outsider Artist” but yet Bob lived most of his life in NYC and he, like Henri Rousseau knew everything that was going on—all the ism’s and all the movements. They both stayed in and expanded the orbits they had created.
In his studio Bob focused his attention to the whole body of work spread all over the studio—working on many pieces at the same time—some over many years. He would adjust this piece over there, then go over and reconfigure this piece over here. All day long around the studio— paintings, sculpture, and collages were like Moons circling a planet, all inhabiting orbits that only Bob could create.
Bob is the real thing, a working artist with severity of vision coupled with a generosity and innocence in that vision. The world that he has created has truths and deep insights into our cramped and zany modern life. One where there is no up or no down, no big idea—just a culture full of diversity.
‘The Notorious R.W’ is not with us anymore, but his work possesses qualities that will always be with us. His work is about a specific time, a specific place that than expands into an experience of all time, of all places. His work is the visualization of the Cosmos and its inhabitancies. With it's swirling unconscious energy coupled with primordial events, he uncovers life’s dramas and mysteries. His unique presence will be missed in the Art Community but he is always with us through his work. He is one of a kind who exists for all of us.
©Bill Jensen 2021
C.V. Robert Allen Witz (R. Witz) Bob
Education
BS University of Wisconsin-Madison 1959
GRANTS and AWARDS
2023 "BOB’S WORLD" awarded Best Experimental Feature Capital Filmmakers’ Festival Berlin, the 2023 edition. Awarded Best Short Documentary "BOB’S WORLD" Detroit Independent Film Festival, October. BOB'S WORLD” is in the official selection of the 2023 Capital Filmmakers Festival Berlin, September. "BOB'S WORLD" awarded Semi-Finalist Florence Indie Film Festival, July 2023. "BOB’S WORLD" is selected as a nominee for the festival Chicago Filmmaker Awards. "BOB'S WORLD" received Honorable Mention from Experimental Forum international film and video art festival. “BOB’S WORLD” is in the semi-finals of the Spring edition of the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival. “BOB’S WORLD” is Semi-Finalist film for The Sydney Indie Short Festival Spring issue. “BOB’S WORLD” received Santa Cruz Independent Film Festival Semi-Finalist project award. “BOB’S WORLD” received San Jose Independent Film Festival Semi-Finalist project award. “BOB’S WORLD” received Semi-Finalist Film award for “BOB’S WORLD” from Nashville Independent Filmmakers. Niagara Falls International Short Festival awarded “BOB’S WORLD”, Semi Finalist, in consideration for screening. Portland New Alternative Voices awarded “BOB’S WORLD” Semi Finalist, Winter edition, February. Kiez Berlin Film Festival, awarded “BOB’S WORLD” Honorable Mention, in consideration for screening, May 5. New Filmmakers New Orleans awarded “BOB’S WORLD”, Semi-Finalist, January. Berlin Shorts Festival, BOB'S WORLD awarded Semi-Finalist, January.
2022 “BOB’S WORLD” selected Semi-Finalist for consideration in Melbourne Independent Film Festival, Australia, Semi-Finalist in The Arthouse Film Festival, Austin TX, and Semi-Finalist for FILMArte Film Festival, Berlin. The painting “Edgar Allan Poe” was exhibited at MCM CREATIVE, for the screening of “BOB’S WORLD” in the NMIIFF Film Festival. NY, October, 22. "BOB’S WORLD" documentary "nominated" "BEST IN FEST", NAKED MOUNTAIN INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (shorts), NYC.
2021 Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant
2020 Tree of Life Grant
2015 American Academy of Arts & Letters, NYC; Hassam, Spiecher, Betts & Symons Purchase Funds
2001 Mnemosine Prize, Rome, Italy
1980 New York State Council on the Arts Art Grant
1978 Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation
Solo Exhibitions
2020 "Milk Made", OSMOS ADDRESS, curated by Cay Sophie Rabinowitz, NYC, January 21 - February 28.
2018 “Bob Witz: An Orbit All By Himself” Plato’s Cave / EIDIA House, Brooklyn, NY, curated by EIDIA, December 12 - February 28, 2019.
2014 m+ e Gallery, (Museum Editions, NYC "Robert Witz Painting and Sculpture" December 4- January 30, 2015.
2012 “Bob Witz: Two Paintings” Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects NYC, February 23 - April,18
“I Know Where I Am Goin’” curated Phong Bui, The New York Studio School, March 16 - April 19.
1990 Neo Persona Gallery, November 29 - December 20.
1989 Speed Limit 55, NYC, April 17 - May 27.
1985 J.N. Herlin, Inc., NYC, March 20 - April 27.
Group Exhibitions
2022 NMIIFF, Naked Mountain Independent International Film Festival, “Edgar Allan Poe” a painting 1990-2018, is exhibited during film festival, October, 22, NYC. "BOB'S WORLD" film is awarded Semi-Finalist from the FILMArte Film Festival, Berlin."Singing in Unison". Group shows Curated by Phong Bui and Cal McKeever, at, Ricco Marasca Gallery NYC, June 23 to September 10, Totah Gallery NYC, June 28 to August 12, Miguel Abreu Gallery NYC, September 7 to October 15, and Industry City, Brooklyn, NY opening September 23 to December 17.
2020 “DYKWTCA” (Do You Know Where The Children Are) a group project / exhibition by Mary Ellen Carroll & Lucas Michael, The Corner at WhitmanWalker, Washington D.C., curator - Ruth Noack, January 25 - March 28.
2019 Andrew Edlin Gallery "Summer Survey: Recent Works”, NYC, June 19 to August 9.
2018 Fortnight Institute, "Antifurniture Store," assembled by Nelson Harst, August 2 to September 5.
2015 American Academy of Arts and Letters, NYC, “2015 Ceremonial Exhibition: Work by New Members and Recipients of Awards" May to June.
2013 “Come Together: Surviving Sandy, Year One”, Industry City, Brooklyn, NY, curated by Phong Bui, Brooklyn, NY, October - December.
2005 “Webb & Witz @Warren,” two person show Studio 18 Gallery, NYC, February 12 - March 12, Denise Bibro Fine Art NYC Summer Invitational July 10 - August 28.
2006 Studio 18 Gallery, NYC, "Origins - A Group Exhibit", February 11 -March 23.
2004 Studio 18 Gallery, NYC.
2002 Studio 18 Gallery, NYC. Galerie Marianne Grob, Berlin, Germany.
2001 "New York 2001: Suoni, Colori, Immagini," two person show Il Tempo Ritrovato, Rome, Italy 5-28, April.
2000 Holland Tunnel Gallery Brooklyn, NY "Making Faces" October 28- November 26 : “Bob Witz and Judith Simonian" two person show Sculpture, Sideshow Gallery, Williamsburg, NY, November 18 - December 18.
1999 76 Varick Street Gallery NYC., " The Summer Show, Morir Sonando" July 9-30.
1998 76 Varick Street Gallery NYC., "Bob Witz and Margrit Lewczuk,", October 16- November 6.
1997 "Verge" Chi Meat Gallery, Group show, Williamsburg, NY, January 26 - February 23.
1993 ”Abstraction Per Se" (with catalogue essay by Dore Ashton show organized by Jack Sonenberg and Eleanor Maretta, Pratt Institute The Ruballe & Norman Schafler Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, January 22- February 24.
1992 "Slow Art: Painting in New York Now" Group show MoMA PS1, Queens, NY, April 26-June 21. "Abstraction Per Se” catalogue essay Dore Ashton organized by Jack Sonenberg and Eleanor Maretta, Pratt Manhattan Gallery, November 21, 1992- January 16 1993.
1989 76 Varick Street Gallery, NYC, Bob Witz and Margrit Lewczuk two person show October 16 - November 6, 128 Rivington Street Gallery NYC.
1988 128 Rivington Street Gallery NYC.
1986 "Portraits and Self-Portraits" Sorkin Gallery.
1985 City without Walls Newark NJ.
1984 Kamikaze Gallery, NYC.
1979 "Appearances Show #1" Fashion Moda, Bronx NYC.
1977 "Space Window" RISD Gallery, Providence RI, Willard Gallery NYC.
1976 Edward Thorp Gallery, NYC, Three person show, Sculptures and Drawings, Fine Arts Building.
1965 Lynn Kottler Galleries NYC, December19 - January 8, 1966.
Selected Publications
(publisher, writer, and artist)
For further listings see "Bob Witz Papers"at Fales Library and Special Collections, early 1960s-2010. Abstract: "Bob Witz is the editor of Appearances Magazine, a small arts magazine first published in the East Village during the 1980s. Witz is also an artist, writer and sculptor who lives in New York. The collection consists of material related to Appearances Magazine, correspondence, gallery catalogues and ephemera, sketchbooks, writings, chap books, drawings, and photographs." http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/fales/witz/
2014 "Come Together: Surviving Sandy, Year 1" Jack D. Flam; Skira Editore S.p.A., pp. 286.
http:// cometogethersandy.com/bob-witz/ "Bob Witz Fluidity of Thought" by Rabia Ashfaque.
2006 Group publication The Fales Library, NYU, NYC, "Up Is Up, But So Is Down New York's Downtown Literary Scene, 1974-1992."
2001 “New York 2001”: Suoni, Colori, Immagini," Il Tempo Ritrovato, Roma, Italy catalog, Suoni Colori Imagini, Edizione Meridiana, Firenze, Italia.
1997 "Verge" a small catalogue, Chi Meat Gallery 152 Broadway 3rd floor Brooklyn 11211, Group Show, Williamsburg, NY, January 26 - Fedruary 23
1976-2001 Founded and edited Appearances, an annual magazine which focused on alternative currents of art and literature.
1985 -1995 (50) Drawings, Poems, Essays in (self published) Underground Magazines. Selected Publications (other).
1992 Bob Witz quote, art work and mention in essay of group exhibition catalogue "Abstraction Per Se" pp.2,3, 26. Essay by Dore Ashton show organized by Jack Sonenberg and Eleanor Maretta, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn NY.
1991 Cover Magazine, February 1991 Vol. 5 # 2 "Let Me Take You Down" By Robert Mahoney review of Bob Witz's one person show Neo Persona Gallery pg.8. "FOOD SEX ART the Starving Artists Cookbook & Video" Series NYC, by EIDIA Books; Bob Witz's performance, drawing and recipe.
1988 -1990 Drawing, word collage, Word Drawing National Poetry Magazine of Lower East Side NYC
1984 Drawing, in Book Design Principles and Problems by Zelanski and Fisher published by Holt Rinehart and Winson, NYC.
1977 "Space Window" Catalogue, RISD Gallery, Providence RI.
1973 "Robert Witz: Selections from the Tomah Letters" Artforum; a selection of letters and drawing (edited by magazine's Associate Editor Robert Pincus-Witten) that Robert Witz wrote and sent to Pincus-Witten. Artforum; Vol. XII. No. 1. September 1973, p.30,31,32.
1970 Four Drawings in University of Wisconsin annual magazine Arts in Society.
1965 One Drawing in University of Wisconsin annual magazine Arts in Society.
1963 Elegy Poem on Van Gogh University of Wisconsin annual magazine Arts in Society.
1960 Two Sonnets on Van Gogh University of Wisconsin annual magazine Arts in Society.
Private Collections
Gwen Allen
Lawrence B. Benenson
Rachel Berg
Harry Bogdos
Phong Bui
Laura Callahan
Karen Castellano
Beth Rudin DeWoody
EIDIA House, Paul Lamarre, Melissa Wolf
Franz A. Friedrich
John Farris estate
Ron Gorchov
Steve Harvey
Jean Noel Herlin
Sean Higgins
Shelley Himmelstein
Kiwi De Vo
Bill Jensen
Gary Keenan
John Koegel
Ron Kolm
Margrit Lewczuk
Lesley McBride
Bill Mutter
Jud Nelson
Shalom Newman
Ken Peth
Marvin Taylor
Richard Timperio
Betty Tompkins
Paige Tooker
Lois Wagner
Larry Webb
Public and Museum Collections
art, books, magazines, ephemera
New York Public Library Research Library, New York City
New York University, Fales Library
Ohio State University
University of Buffalo, the State University of New York, SUNY
University of Rochester
University of Texas, Austin, the Harry Ransom Center
University of Wisconsin Collection of Chazen Museum of Art Gift of the American Academy of Arts and Letter
Education
BS University of Wisconsin-Madison 1959
GRANTS and AWARDS
2023 "BOB’S WORLD" awarded Best Experimental Feature Capital Filmmakers’ Festival Berlin, the 2023 edition. Awarded Best Short Documentary "BOB’S WORLD" Detroit Independent Film Festival, October. BOB'S WORLD” is in the official selection of the 2023 Capital Filmmakers Festival Berlin, September. "BOB'S WORLD" awarded Semi-Finalist Florence Indie Film Festival, July 2023. "BOB’S WORLD" is selected as a nominee for the festival Chicago Filmmaker Awards. "BOB'S WORLD" received Honorable Mention from Experimental Forum international film and video art festival. “BOB’S WORLD” is in the semi-finals of the Spring edition of the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival. “BOB’S WORLD” is Semi-Finalist film for The Sydney Indie Short Festival Spring issue. “BOB’S WORLD” received Santa Cruz Independent Film Festival Semi-Finalist project award. “BOB’S WORLD” received San Jose Independent Film Festival Semi-Finalist project award. “BOB’S WORLD” received Semi-Finalist Film award for “BOB’S WORLD” from Nashville Independent Filmmakers. Niagara Falls International Short Festival awarded “BOB’S WORLD”, Semi Finalist, in consideration for screening. Portland New Alternative Voices awarded “BOB’S WORLD” Semi Finalist, Winter edition, February. Kiez Berlin Film Festival, awarded “BOB’S WORLD” Honorable Mention, in consideration for screening, May 5. New Filmmakers New Orleans awarded “BOB’S WORLD”, Semi-Finalist, January. Berlin Shorts Festival, BOB'S WORLD awarded Semi-Finalist, January.
2022 “BOB’S WORLD” selected Semi-Finalist for consideration in Melbourne Independent Film Festival, Australia, Semi-Finalist in The Arthouse Film Festival, Austin TX, and Semi-Finalist for FILMArte Film Festival, Berlin. The painting “Edgar Allan Poe” was exhibited at MCM CREATIVE, for the screening of “BOB’S WORLD” in the NMIIFF Film Festival. NY, October, 22. "BOB’S WORLD" documentary "nominated" "BEST IN FEST", NAKED MOUNTAIN INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (shorts), NYC.
2021 Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant
2020 Tree of Life Grant
2015 American Academy of Arts & Letters, NYC; Hassam, Spiecher, Betts & Symons Purchase Funds
2001 Mnemosine Prize, Rome, Italy
1980 New York State Council on the Arts Art Grant
1978 Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation
Solo Exhibitions
2020 "Milk Made", OSMOS ADDRESS, curated by Cay Sophie Rabinowitz, NYC, January 21 - February 28.
2018 “Bob Witz: An Orbit All By Himself” Plato’s Cave / EIDIA House, Brooklyn, NY, curated by EIDIA, December 12 - February 28, 2019.
2014 m+ e Gallery, (Museum Editions, NYC "Robert Witz Painting and Sculpture" December 4- January 30, 2015.
2012 “Bob Witz: Two Paintings” Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects NYC, February 23 - April,18
“I Know Where I Am Goin’” curated Phong Bui, The New York Studio School, March 16 - April 19.
1990 Neo Persona Gallery, November 29 - December 20.
1989 Speed Limit 55, NYC, April 17 - May 27.
1985 J.N. Herlin, Inc., NYC, March 20 - April 27.
Group Exhibitions
2022 NMIIFF, Naked Mountain Independent International Film Festival, “Edgar Allan Poe” a painting 1990-2018, is exhibited during film festival, October, 22, NYC. "BOB'S WORLD" film is awarded Semi-Finalist from the FILMArte Film Festival, Berlin."Singing in Unison". Group shows Curated by Phong Bui and Cal McKeever, at, Ricco Marasca Gallery NYC, June 23 to September 10, Totah Gallery NYC, June 28 to August 12, Miguel Abreu Gallery NYC, September 7 to October 15, and Industry City, Brooklyn, NY opening September 23 to December 17.
2020 “DYKWTCA” (Do You Know Where The Children Are) a group project / exhibition by Mary Ellen Carroll & Lucas Michael, The Corner at WhitmanWalker, Washington D.C., curator - Ruth Noack, January 25 - March 28.
2019 Andrew Edlin Gallery "Summer Survey: Recent Works”, NYC, June 19 to August 9.
2018 Fortnight Institute, "Antifurniture Store," assembled by Nelson Harst, August 2 to September 5.
2015 American Academy of Arts and Letters, NYC, “2015 Ceremonial Exhibition: Work by New Members and Recipients of Awards" May to June.
2013 “Come Together: Surviving Sandy, Year One”, Industry City, Brooklyn, NY, curated by Phong Bui, Brooklyn, NY, October - December.
2005 “Webb & Witz @Warren,” two person show Studio 18 Gallery, NYC, February 12 - March 12, Denise Bibro Fine Art NYC Summer Invitational July 10 - August 28.
2006 Studio 18 Gallery, NYC, "Origins - A Group Exhibit", February 11 -March 23.
2004 Studio 18 Gallery, NYC.
2002 Studio 18 Gallery, NYC. Galerie Marianne Grob, Berlin, Germany.
2001 "New York 2001: Suoni, Colori, Immagini," two person show Il Tempo Ritrovato, Rome, Italy 5-28, April.
2000 Holland Tunnel Gallery Brooklyn, NY "Making Faces" October 28- November 26 : “Bob Witz and Judith Simonian" two person show Sculpture, Sideshow Gallery, Williamsburg, NY, November 18 - December 18.
1999 76 Varick Street Gallery NYC., " The Summer Show, Morir Sonando" July 9-30.
1998 76 Varick Street Gallery NYC., "Bob Witz and Margrit Lewczuk,", October 16- November 6.
1997 "Verge" Chi Meat Gallery, Group show, Williamsburg, NY, January 26 - February 23.
1993 ”Abstraction Per Se" (with catalogue essay by Dore Ashton show organized by Jack Sonenberg and Eleanor Maretta, Pratt Institute The Ruballe & Norman Schafler Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, January 22- February 24.
1992 "Slow Art: Painting in New York Now" Group show MoMA PS1, Queens, NY, April 26-June 21. "Abstraction Per Se” catalogue essay Dore Ashton organized by Jack Sonenberg and Eleanor Maretta, Pratt Manhattan Gallery, November 21, 1992- January 16 1993.
1989 76 Varick Street Gallery, NYC, Bob Witz and Margrit Lewczuk two person show October 16 - November 6, 128 Rivington Street Gallery NYC.
1988 128 Rivington Street Gallery NYC.
1986 "Portraits and Self-Portraits" Sorkin Gallery.
1985 City without Walls Newark NJ.
1984 Kamikaze Gallery, NYC.
1979 "Appearances Show #1" Fashion Moda, Bronx NYC.
1977 "Space Window" RISD Gallery, Providence RI, Willard Gallery NYC.
1976 Edward Thorp Gallery, NYC, Three person show, Sculptures and Drawings, Fine Arts Building.
1965 Lynn Kottler Galleries NYC, December19 - January 8, 1966.
Selected Publications
(publisher, writer, and artist)
For further listings see "Bob Witz Papers"at Fales Library and Special Collections, early 1960s-2010. Abstract: "Bob Witz is the editor of Appearances Magazine, a small arts magazine first published in the East Village during the 1980s. Witz is also an artist, writer and sculptor who lives in New York. The collection consists of material related to Appearances Magazine, correspondence, gallery catalogues and ephemera, sketchbooks, writings, chap books, drawings, and photographs." http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/fales/witz/
2014 "Come Together: Surviving Sandy, Year 1" Jack D. Flam; Skira Editore S.p.A., pp. 286.
http:// cometogethersandy.com/bob-witz/ "Bob Witz Fluidity of Thought" by Rabia Ashfaque.
2006 Group publication The Fales Library, NYU, NYC, "Up Is Up, But So Is Down New York's Downtown Literary Scene, 1974-1992."
2001 “New York 2001”: Suoni, Colori, Immagini," Il Tempo Ritrovato, Roma, Italy catalog, Suoni Colori Imagini, Edizione Meridiana, Firenze, Italia.
1997 "Verge" a small catalogue, Chi Meat Gallery 152 Broadway 3rd floor Brooklyn 11211, Group Show, Williamsburg, NY, January 26 - Fedruary 23
1976-2001 Founded and edited Appearances, an annual magazine which focused on alternative currents of art and literature.
1985 -1995 (50) Drawings, Poems, Essays in (self published) Underground Magazines. Selected Publications (other).
1992 Bob Witz quote, art work and mention in essay of group exhibition catalogue "Abstraction Per Se" pp.2,3, 26. Essay by Dore Ashton show organized by Jack Sonenberg and Eleanor Maretta, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn NY.
1991 Cover Magazine, February 1991 Vol. 5 # 2 "Let Me Take You Down" By Robert Mahoney review of Bob Witz's one person show Neo Persona Gallery pg.8. "FOOD SEX ART the Starving Artists Cookbook & Video" Series NYC, by EIDIA Books; Bob Witz's performance, drawing and recipe.
1988 -1990 Drawing, word collage, Word Drawing National Poetry Magazine of Lower East Side NYC
1984 Drawing, in Book Design Principles and Problems by Zelanski and Fisher published by Holt Rinehart and Winson, NYC.
1977 "Space Window" Catalogue, RISD Gallery, Providence RI.
1973 "Robert Witz: Selections from the Tomah Letters" Artforum; a selection of letters and drawing (edited by magazine's Associate Editor Robert Pincus-Witten) that Robert Witz wrote and sent to Pincus-Witten. Artforum; Vol. XII. No. 1. September 1973, p.30,31,32.
1970 Four Drawings in University of Wisconsin annual magazine Arts in Society.
1965 One Drawing in University of Wisconsin annual magazine Arts in Society.
1963 Elegy Poem on Van Gogh University of Wisconsin annual magazine Arts in Society.
1960 Two Sonnets on Van Gogh University of Wisconsin annual magazine Arts in Society.
Private Collections
Gwen Allen
Lawrence B. Benenson
Rachel Berg
Harry Bogdos
Phong Bui
Laura Callahan
Karen Castellano
Beth Rudin DeWoody
EIDIA House, Paul Lamarre, Melissa Wolf
Franz A. Friedrich
John Farris estate
Ron Gorchov
Steve Harvey
Jean Noel Herlin
Sean Higgins
Shelley Himmelstein
Kiwi De Vo
Bill Jensen
Gary Keenan
John Koegel
Ron Kolm
Margrit Lewczuk
Lesley McBride
Bill Mutter
Jud Nelson
Shalom Newman
Ken Peth
Marvin Taylor
Richard Timperio
Betty Tompkins
Paige Tooker
Lois Wagner
Larry Webb
Public and Museum Collections
art, books, magazines, ephemera
New York Public Library Research Library, New York City
New York University, Fales Library
Ohio State University
University of Buffalo, the State University of New York, SUNY
University of Rochester
University of Texas, Austin, the Harry Ransom Center
University of Wisconsin Collection of Chazen Museum of Art Gift of the American Academy of Arts and Letter