Part 1: The Early Years  |  Part 2: The Worst of Times  |  Part 3: The Best of Times
Part 4: Coming To America  |  Part 5: Ivan Opens Art Studio
Part 6: Ivan's Collapse - The Final Chapter

Part 6 - Ivan's Collapse: The Final Chapter

During the 1960's, Newman Galleries initiated a restoration program for art works and historical documents which eventually became so successful it attained national prominence and attention.

These restorative techniques and procedures allowed Newman Galleries to work with art from the Washington, D.C. Art Museum, the Philadelphia Art Museum and many other public and private collections throughout the United States. Ivan was the artist that Newman Galleries assigned to these restoration projects of great historical importance. He was their best painter.

The Newman Galleries successes were great for Ivan's reputation, but his personal life went from one disaster to another. Family members tried to convince him to sell his home in Philadelphia; however, he remained adamant in his belief that divine guidance would intervene and the discovery of his true talent would soon be realized.

But alas, his misfortunes continued to occur. On September 25, 1971 another mugging took place, and in 1972, his home and gallery was broken into and three of his oil paintings were stolen. Another burglary occurred in 1974 with six more paintings stolen.

Ivan finally told his son, Arnold, "There have been many break-ins at my home over the years. Whoever broke in this last time knew exactly what they were doing. They stole some of my best paintings!"

In March and April of 1978, the break-ins continued and his home suffered continual vandalism. These attacks took their toll on Ivan and sent him into a downward spiral of misery. Although his talent had not diminished, he became a recluse. Garikow became despondent and only left his home to go to work. In the early 1980's, he became paranoid. He lived a solitary and secluded life. No one was welcomed into his home except his son, Arnold.

Despite his family's concern, Ivan refused help. He hid in his home behind his brushes and canvasses as he worked continually while ignoring his health. On April 26, 1982, less than two months before his 64th birthday, hopelessly defeated and completely bed-ridden from ill health, Ivan Garikow died in his sleep.

Although the death certificate cited dehydration and malnutrition as the cause of death, his son believes his father died of a broken heart as a result of his lifetime of desolation, depression and despair.

If it is true that great artists live a troubled life, Ivan Garikow was one of the greatest.

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