Altina, a woman ahead of her time

New York tobacco heiress, Altina Schinassi was a renaissance woman. A sculptor, painter, film-maker and entrepreneur.

Harlequin Eyeglasses. Plastic and glass 1939

Schinasi Mansion. New York City 1907

Altina's father, Morris Schinasi. Alexandria Egypt circa 1890

Altina's mother, Laurette Schinasi

Schinasi Bros. Egyptian Cigarette

Victoria, Altina and Juliette Schinasi

Altina Schinasi

Altina Schinasi. New York City circa 1930

Altina Schinasi Sanders. New York City circa 1940

Laurette, Victoria and Altina Schinasi with Morris Sanders

Self portrait. Oil on canvas 1959

Untitled. Oil on canvas circa 1960

Altina Schinasi Carey. Los Angeles CA circa 1965

Altina Schinasi Carey. Santa Monica CA circa 1970

Altina Schinasi Carey. New Mexico

Dolores. Fibreglass circa 1970's

Equus Fiberglass circa 1970's

The Lovers. Fiberglass circa 1975

Dining chair. Fiberglass circa 1980

Unititled. Wood circa 1980

Altina Schinasi Miranda. Santa Fe NM circa 1980

Altina Schinasi Miranda. Circa 1985

Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe wearing Harlequin or cat's eye glasses

Married four times, she lived her life boldly. She befriended Martin Luther King Jr. and supported his struggle.

During the McCarthyism period she hid black-listed film director John Berry in her Beverly Hills home.

Her revolutionary style was reflected in her sexually liberated artwork and inspired invention of Harlequin glasses in the 1930s - a fashion item which endures to this day.

Directed and produced by her grandson and granddaughter, Peter and Victoria Sanders, Altina is an upcoming film that chronicles her remarkable life.

It is a rich and provocative documentary about a woman who was ahead of her time.

Altina will be screened as part of the Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival 2016 opening in Auckland on May 5th in Auckland, before heading down to Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch between May and July. The full programme is available @ Rialto.co.nz