Molly's Turn: Ben Vaganov

Benjamin Vaganov
1896-1981

                                 

U.S.S.R. #7 A La Russie, 1965

I grew up on Potereo Hill in San Francisco. We moved there in 1958, a time when there where many artist and craftsmen who found homes on Potereo HIll as it was close to where many worked as longshoremen or in other industrial types of work. The hill was rich with artist, poets, muscians and creative souls. It was my environment, and for many years I had no idea of how incredibly lucky I was to grow up here with these people in my life. 

Ben Vaganov was one of these people. He lived around the corner from my family. I have no idea how he came into our lives other than he was a staple for many years. He used to come by for a glass of tea or wine and would play Parcheesi with me. He was a wicked player, gleeful and feisty and if he wasn't winning he was ready to gently shift the board so the pieces, oops, where moved, by mistake, of course. He was always full of good cheer and when he was cheating he always made sure that I was aware of it. It was much fun to be with Ben.

Our Four Eggs by Ben

Over the years, Ben gave us four beautiful eggs he had painted in a very Russian style. I have had them all my life and chance upon them every once in a while to admire. We recently tore apart our office for painting and new flooring and I found these eggs once again. I showed them to Larry and told him my stories of Ben. Larry being Larry immediately went to the computer to do research and found some wonderful and fascianting information and articles about someone I only knew as a wonderful, feisty and creative old man.

It is intriguing to me that both Ben and Victor Arnatoff, artist of the same generation, came from Russia, migrated through China and ended up on Potereo Hill. There is no articles linking the two but they lived only two blocks from each other on De Haro Street. I speculate that they must have known each other, even if only through the yearly art shows at the Potereo Hill library. These yearly shows were highly anticipated by the hill artists, many of them renowned, always a wonderful show. 

I wish I had been more interested as a child to hear Ben's stories, I loved to play with him and appreciate his teasing and caring manner.  I am so glad Larry found this information.

             Here are some examples of his work and articles Larry found. I hope you enjoy them!

Benjamin Vaganov,  
Through the Carbide Light Spectrum
(I wonder if Ben used his own face for this painting...)

By The Lake,  1905

Once the Master, 1955

Flower Arrangement #2

Peacock on the Steps

My Flowers

Russian Landscape with Wind Mill

Tree

A Brief Overview of Ben’s Life:

Born: 1896 - Archangel, Russia Died: 1981 - Salt Lake City, Utah Exhibits: Calif. State Fair, 1931, 1949; Kingsley Art Club (Sacramento), 1933 Golden Gate International Exposition, 1939

Chula Vista Library, 1942 San Diego FA Society --Ref: Artists in California, 1786-1940

Spencer Helfen Fine Arts, of Beverly Hills, has posted this information about Ben:

Artistic Focus – A self-taught Modernist, Benjamin Vaganov sometimes worked under thepseudonym “Venia.” His early work in California’s lumber and mining industries proved to be a significant influence on the artist’s life and paintings, whose texture often suggests an application of paint intended to convey Vaganov’s reverence for their subjects by creating the sensation of a natural substance.

Career Highlights –

Born in Tsarist Russia, Benjamin Vaganov left his homeland to escape the dangers of the Revolution, living for several years in China before coming to the United States in 1923.

He settled first in Oregon, where he found work in the lumber industry, and then moved to San Diego in 1928, where he established a studio in the Spanish Village in Balboa Park. Vaganov completed a number of Works Progress Administration art projects, including a mural painted in the House of Pacific Relations in San Diego, and dioramas in the San Diego County Visual Education building.

Vaganov remained active in San Diego art circles until he moved to San Francisco in the 1950s, where he spent his remaining years.

(b. Archangel, Russia Oct 8 1896- ) (S.F. Painter)
Address in SF: 1624 20th Street (1956); 851 B De Haro Street
Vaganov died at his daughter's home in Salt Lake City on March 23, 1981.

San Francisco Examiner Pictorial Living article Feb. 22, 1959

        This is from the Chula Vista Star, 

        Chula Vista California   Sep. 18th, 1942

This Article from the Golden Gator, July 16th, 1965

            Letter written to the SF Examiner on June 21st, 1955, 

            Ben’s views on citizenship

I was a young woman living in Washington State when Ben died. I lost contact with him and regret not having spent more time with him.  Growing up in a very small family he was someone very special to us.  I know my mother also enjoyed his company as he did hers. It’s amazing how people touch our lives and stay with us throughout our years, with great affection and fun memories.