Jane Wodening

Jane Wodening

Deceased · Died: Nov 17, 2023

Personal Details

Biography

Mary Jane Collom, an accomplished American writer, has undergone a significant transformation in her life, adopting not one, but two new identities. Initially, she was known as Jane Wodening, a moniker that likely held great significance for her during a particular phase of her life. However, it was her marriage to the illustrious filmmaker Stan Brakhage that led to her adoption of yet another name, Jane Brakhage. This remarkable woman has not only left her mark on the literary world but has also been a part of the fascinating life of a cinematic visionary.

Mary Jane Collom, a remarkable individual, would eventually undergo a significant transformation, adopting the surname Wodening after her marriage to the renowned filmmaker Stan Brakhage in the year 1957. This union would serve as a profound source of inspiration for Brakhage's 1959 experimental short film, Window Water Baby Moving, which masterfully captures the pivotal moment of the birth of their first child.

Jane Wodening, the devoted wife of the renowned filmmaker Stan Brakhage, left an indelible mark on the Brakhage family during the late 1950s to the mid 1960s, a period of unparalleled creative and productive output for the artist. It was during this pivotal era that Wodening's tireless efforts to preserve cherished memories and mementos culminated in the creation of numerous scrapbooks, which have since evolved into a poignant testament to her unwavering love and dedication to her husband and their family.

As the matriarch of the Brakhage household, Wodening's influence extended far beyond the realm of domesticity, as her artistic endeavors and meticulous attention to detail imbued the family's daily life with a sense of warmth, intimacy, and shared experience. Her scrapbooks, replete with photographs, mementos, and ephemera, served as a visual chronicle of the family's joys, struggles, and everyday moments, offering a unique window into the inner workings of the Brakhage household during its most formative years.

Through her creative endeavors, Wodening not only provided a tangible representation of her love and devotion but also played a vital role in nurturing the artistic genius of her husband, Stan Brakhage. Her unwavering support and encouragement allowed him to focus on his craft, uninhibited by the demands of domestic life, and enabled him to produce some of his most innovative and groundbreaking works during this period.

In the years that followed, Wodening's scrapbooks would become a cherished family heirloom, a tangible connection to the past that would continue to inspire and captivate future generations. As a testament to her enduring legacy, they serve as a poignant reminder of the profound impact she had on the Brakhage family and the significant role she played in shaping the artistic trajectory of her husband, Stan Brakhage.

As the years went by, the once harmonious relationship between the couple began to unravel, culminating in a heart-wrenching separation in 1987, effectively bringing to a close a remarkable marriage that had endured for nearly three decades, a testament to the fleeting nature of even the most seemingly idyllic of unions.

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**Person Biography**

**Name:** (not provided)

**Occupation:** (not provided)

**Born:** (not provided)

**Died:** (not provided)

**Spouse:** (not provided)

**Marriage:** The couple tied the knot in (not provided) and remained together for nearly three decades before separating in 1987.

Career

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1965
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2000
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1998
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1997
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1969