Linelle LaBonte artwork collection
Scope and Contents
The Linelle LaBonte artwork collection contains matted and unmatted photograms, artist titled Computer Drawings and photographs.
The Photograms series contain matted and umatted color photorgrams. Common practices evident in the photograms include splattering, white silhouettes, glass bottle rings, overpainting and photomontages. The most notable technique is the application of hand stitching to the photogram surface, and in the instance of Erase, removal of the stitching. Two contain poetry by the artist. Artist series are evident throughout the sub-series and often titled in space, fantasy and apocalyptic themes.
The Photographs series contains matted and unmatted black and white photographs, color photographs, two artist statements and one illustrated CV. Subjects include the domestic lives of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, architectural shots of buidling interiors and exteriors, foliage, downtown Baltimore cityscape and people (including children), and one photograph of the beach. LaBonte employs broken windows as a framing technique and likely through a form of photomontage, places print messages and religious iconography into the frames.
Artist statements have been included in this series as they pertain to two sub-series. The illustrated CV has been included in this series as it was likely matted for exhibition purposes.
Two works in this series have been submitted to International Photography Salons, both receiving a score of 6.
The Computer Drawings series contains two experimental computer designs printed in color and in black and white. Both works are matted.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1973-circa 1990
Creator
- LaBonte, Linelle, 1937-2016 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is located at the Loyola Notre Dame Library. Contact Archives and Special Collections for more information.
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Linelle LaBonte artwork collection is the physical property of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Notre Dame Library. Copyright, except in cases where material has passed into the public domain, belongs to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns.
Biographical / Historical
Linelle LaBonte was born in 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She studied English and Speech at Marquette University in Milwaukee and became a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mequon, Wisconsin Province in August 1959. In 1962 she received a B.A. in Art Education from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, then went on to do graduate work in drawing and painting at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1970 LaBonte came to Baltimore on a Faculty Teaching Scholarship at the Maryland Institute College, now the Maryland Institute College of Art. LaBonte was the first student to receive a MFA in Photography from MICA in 1971. The same year she began teaching at Notre Dame of Maryland University and taught until her retirement in 2002.
LaBonte likely exhibited in Baltimore and at universities on the east coast. She submitted her photography to international juried exhibitions, two of which are included in this collection.
The photograms in this collection are often multilayered. Photograms are produced by exposing photographic paper to light while directing materials, often objects or liquid substances, on top of the paper. Length of exposure effects the transparency of the objects in the final image and LaBonte would often expose semi-transparent objects, such as colored glass bottles, on top of one another. At other times LaBonte would not expose sections of the paper, leaving stark, white silhouettes. Several of the works include handstitched patterns.
LaBonte also undertook the photogram process on her photographs and montaged cut photogram pieces to their surface. LaBonte employed the technique of hand-painting, or over-painting, photographs as well.
LaBonte died on November 24, 2016 at age 79. Today there is a Linelle LaBonte Photography Scholarship awarded annually to a Notre Dame of Maryland University Art Department student.
Historical information adapted from http://www.michaelcarliner.com/files/Harry-5-700113.pdf and https://www.candlelightfuneralhome.com/obituary/Linelle-LaBonte (accessed March 2020).
Extent
4.076 Cubic Feet (5 flat boxes, 2 tall legal-size document boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Linelle LaBonte was born in 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She recived an MFA in Photography from MICA in 1971 and served as a professor in the Art Department at Notre Dame Maryland University, teaching until her retirement in 2002. The Linelle LaBonte artwork collection, dated circa 1970-circa 1990, contains photograms, artwork titled Computer Drawings, photographs, artist statements, and an illustrated CV.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged into three series, Photograms, Photographs, and Computer Drawings. Each is divided into sub-series.
The Photograms series has been arranged chronologically into nine sub-series which reflect the artist’s original series. Artist series that could not clearly be determined by name have been arranged by similar subject matter, format, and in the instance of the Fantasy series by similar framing techniques and the artist’s system of numbering.
The Photographs series has been arranged chronologically into five sub-series which reflect the artist’s original series. Artist series that could not clearly be determined are arranged as files.
Computer Drawings hes been arranged chronologically into one sub-series.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was transferred to Loyola Notre Dame Library by the Notre Dame of Maryland University Art Department.
Processing Information
This collection was processed in 2020 by Amanda Acosta.
The processing of this collection incorporated CDWA standards. For works with unidentifiable or multiple titles, a Variant Title Note is included at the item level.
- Title
- Guide to the Linelle LaBonte artwork collection
- Author
- Amanda Acosta
- Date
- 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Loyola Notre Dame Library Archives and Special Collections Repository