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“The finest and most comprehensive collection of Vietnamese Art from the second half of the twentieth century in North America.”
— Albert I. Goodman
The Albert I. Goodman Collection of Vietnamese Art at the John David Mooney Foundation
International Currents Gallery
Housed on the second floor of the John David Mooney Foundation, the Albert I. Goodman Collection of Vietnamese Paintings and Drawings present both an overview of the collection as well as rotating special exhibits of individual artists and themes.
The bulk of the collection dates from the wartime years and the postwar period, with some drawings dated to the 1950’s, the resistance years. These works were originally acquired by Bruce Blowitz, an American living in Cambodia, and a good friend of Albert Goodman who had purchased several of these works directly from the artists in Hanoi. Albert Goodman, in turn, purchased several of these works directly from Bruce, and to his surprise, was gifted the entire treasured collection upon Bruce Blowitz’ death.
This may be the most significant collection of Vietnamese art in North America. These paintings reveal the reality of life in Vietnam at a time in which the artists had no access to international art movements, modern technology, or even standard art materials and supplies. The John David Mooney Foundation welcomes guests to visit the collection and contemplate a culture seen through the richness of its art.
"I feel that it is good to see that we have now opened trade with Vietnam just as we did shortly after World War II with Germany and Japan."
— Albert I. Goodman
Albert I. Goodman
Albert I. Goodman was born in Evanston. He went to the Wilmette public schools and New Trier High School as a young man. He went to the University of Southern California in 1965, then went to Bard College, and later to New York University, before getting an MBA at USC in 1979. Albert worked at the family business, Appleton Electric Co., four different times in his youth.
After graduating from USC, he got his first real estate license in Los Angeles before moving to the Boston area in 1983. Albert returned to Chicago in 1987, and in 1994 he got involved with the Goodman Theatre, which was founded by relatives. He is the Honorary Chairman of the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, and Trustee of the USO of Illinois. He is currently a realtor and living with his wife, Maria, in his boyhood home in Wilmette.