Frank O'Hara Quotes

A collection of quotes by Frank O'Hara.

Frank O'Hara (1926-1966) was a prominent American poet, art critic, and curator associated with the New York School of poets. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, O'Hara moved to New York City in 1951 after completing his studies at Harvard University. He became an integral part of the city's vibrant art scene and wrote poetry that encompassed the spirit of the urban environment.

O'Hara is known for his innovative and spontaneous writing style, influenced by Abstract Expressionism and jazz music. His poems often blur the lines between personal and public experiences and celebrate the everyday occurrences and objects of city life. O'Hara was particularly interested in the intersection of art and poetry and drew inspiration from his interactions with artists in New York, including Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Larry Rivers.

In addition to his poetry, O'Hara was a curator at the Museum of Modern Art, where he organized influential exhibitions, including "The New American Painting" and "Nexus New York." He also worked as an art critic for Artnews and other publications, tirelessly championing the work of his contemporaries.

Tragically, O'Hara's life was cut short when he died at the age of 40 after being struck by a dune buggy on Fire Island, New York, in 1966. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to American poetry and his role in fostering connections between poetry and the visual arts have had a lasting impact on subsequent generations of artists and writers.