Theodore Odza

Theodore "Ted" Odza (1915–1998) was an American artist, curator, and educator, known for his sculptures and abstract paintings. He taught art classes at University of California, Berkeley, and later served as the chair of the art department of Laney College. Additionally, he curated multiple national touring art exhibitions of Central European artists.

Biography Theodore Odza was born on January 7, 1915, in New York City. His father Herbert G. Odza, was born in Halych, Ukraine; and his mother Lena (née Fischman) was born in New York City. There were six children in the family, five brothers and one sister.

In the 1960s and 1970s, he made abstract expressionist metal sculptures, often constructed with steel or bronze. During his time in Poland he created many new artist connections, and in the following years he curated national touring art exhibitions of Central European artists. Most notably, he curated the exhibition Contemporary Painters from Hungary (1985) at Gallery Route One. and Oakland Museum of California.

Personal life Odza was married in 1940 to dancer Mimi Kagan, which ended in divorce in 1958. Odza married Janice Marie Gale Johnson in 1962.

Exhibitions

September 1963 – Ted Odza and Mildred Lachman, Quay Gallery, San Francisco, California