Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

Dean Stockwell
Artist

Dean Stockwell and Wallace Berman

Dean Stockwell and Wallace Berman at Stone Brothers Printing, 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.18. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

Dean Stockwell was born in Hollywood in 1936 and began acting as a child. In 1955, he met Wallace Berman and developed a second career as an artist. Stockwell became part of a community of artists that included George Herms and Russel Tamblyn. His work ranged from collage to experimental film and photography. He frequently appropriated imagery from magazines and advertising, as was the case for the cover image of issue eight of Berman’s journal, Semina.

Historic Map Locations

Works of Art

  • Semina cover with altered press photograph of William George Heirens (the “Lipstick Killer”), 1963, Dean Stockwell.

    Semina cover with altered press photograph of William George Heirens (the “Lipstick Killer”), 1963, Dean Stockwell. Semina journal, no. 8 (1963) by Wallace Berman. Halftone reproduction on cardstock, mounted on cardboard. 7 1/16 x 5 1/2. The Getty Research Institute, 2864-801.no8.6. Courtesy of Dean Stockwell and the Estate of Wallace Berman and Michael Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles

  • Card to George Herms

    Card to George Herms, 1968, Dean Stockwell. Letterpress, ink, and tinted gelatin silver print on board. 5 x 3 3/8 in. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of George Herms, 2009.M.20.12. © Dean Stockwell

  • Card to George Herms

    Card to George Herms, 1967, Dean Stockwell. Letterpress, ink, and gelatin silver prints on board. 5 1/4 x 3 9/16 in. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of George Herms, 2009.M.20.17. © Dean Stockwell

Explore the Archive

  • Video: George Herms on California assemblage

    Video: Artist George Herms shares anecdotes about the California assemblage community

  • Dean Stockwell and Wallace Berman

    Dean Stockwell and Wallace Berman at Stone Brothers Printing, 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.18. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin