Joan Snyder: Brushstrokes of Expression

Born in New Jersey in 1940, Joan Snyder is known for her abstract paintings characterized by expressive brushstrokes. In contrast to her earlier artworks, which focused on landscapes such as farm scenes, Snyder later developed a more personal artistic style that incorporates materials and symbolic imagery, helping her gain wider recognition.

Snyder grew up with Jewish heritage and went to Hebrew school when she was a teenager. She graduated from Douglass College—now Douglass Residential College within Rutgers University—where she earned her undergraduate degree in sociology. By this time, she had also developed a passion for becoming an artist and eventually received a masters of fine arts degree in 1966. 

At the age of 31, Snyder helped establish the Mary H. Dana Women Artist Series gallery on the Rutgers University campus. The gallery was created to provide visibility and opportunities for women artists, like herself, within the art world. She also became an important figure in feminist art, using her artwork to address and engage with feminist themes and social issues.

Over her career, Snyder has been recognized with numerous awards, including prestigious honors such as a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in 1974 and a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1983, reflecting her significant contributions to the art world.

Snyder has participated in numerous exhibitions throughout her career, including Body & Soul (2024–25), which presents Snyder’s narrative of her six decades as an artist. More recently, she held another exhibition, Love from an Abstract Artist (2025) which showcased her continued exploration of abstract painting, combining textured materials and handwritten words on canvas.