Poetic Obituaries: After earning a bachelor's degree at UC Berkeley

in 1964, [Robert] Shapazian studied English literature at Harvard University, earning a master's in 1965 and a doctorate in 1970. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on pastoral poetry and painting in the Renaissance.

He had worked in his family's agricultural business in Fresno and built a collection of experimental photography that critics considered extraordinary.

In recent years, Shapazian taught writing and art to at-risk youths, friends said.

from Los Angeles Times: Robert Shapazian dies at 67; founding director of Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills

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