Abstract Expressionist photographer and San Diego art patron Lynn Fayman was born in Kansas City, Missouri and majored in landscape architecture at Kansas State University. In 1928, Fayman left the States to study landscape design in Europe. Returning stateside he practiced landscape architecture in Chicago (through 1932) and Kansas City (through 1942) before coming to San Diego.
In 1943, a move to Los Angeles would bring Fayman to the classrooms of The Art Center School where he began to formalize his amateur photographic interests. Following this coursework he was hired as a photographer by Ryan Aeronautical in San Diego.
In 1948, the seasoned photographer began experimenting with using light as his medium in color slides. The next year would push his work forward with Eastman Kodak's release of their Flexichrome color process. By 1949, Fayman's work was included Photographic Society of America (PSA) group exhibits in the US and Canada.
Experiments with motion pictures began in earnest in 1951. Lynn Fayman's film "Color in Motion" was awarded in the International Salon of the PSA. "Color in Motion II" was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 1954 and then selected among "The Ten Best Films for 1955" at the PSA's American International Cinema Competition.
Fayman's work would reach art critics and the public alike through one-man shows. These exhibitions were held at the Western Association of Art Museums Tour; Academy of Science and Art, Pittsburgh; Santa Barbara Museum of Art; Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco; Miami Beach Public Library and Art Center; San Diego State College Art Gallery; Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth; Phoenix Art Museum; La Jolla Museum of Art; Miami Museum of Fine Arts; University of Connecticut; University of Iowa; University of Washington. Among the most intriguing shows was "Lynn Fayman Flexichromes" held at the Henry Art in Seattle between October 3-24,1954.
Well beyond his photographs and films, Fayman’s legacy is as a champion of contemporary art and artists in San Diego. Lynn and his wife Danah supported the Art Center in La Jolla. As the institution grew into the La Jolla Museum of Art, Lynn served on its board of trustees for twenty-two consecutive years. Fayman also set an example for area photographers, such as John Waggaman, Harry Crosby, John Oldenkamp, Vernon Heger and Gary Kornmayer. His achievements were recognized by the La Jolla Museum of Art with The Photographic Art of Lynn Fayman, a posthumous retrospective held in early 1969.
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