Sam Francis

Composition by Sam Francis - Abstract, mixed media

1990

Vagues “Wave” by TOSHIMITSU ÏMAI (1928-2002) Acrylic on paper 127 x 95 cm (50 x 37 3⁄8 inches) Signed in Japanese and English lower right, inscribed and dated 1992 on the reverse Provenance: Studio of the artist Dr Jean-Paul Coussy (Director of MCAP Museum, France), acquired directly from the artist, March 15th 1998 Dr Giorgio Tosetti, Italy, acquired from the above Exhibitions: Paris, Galerie Chozo Yoshii, Hommage à André Malraux - Les voix du Silence, September - November 1997 Literature G. C. Calza, Imaï, Electa, Milan, 1998 (Onde/Waves series) Artist biography: Born in Kyoto, Japan in 1928 Imai was part of the 20th century Japanese avant-garde. He began his formal education at the Tokyo State Art Academy where he took up painting. His early works are characterised by colourful abstractions, reminiscent of Favuism. In 1951 Imai was awarded the Kansai-Shinseisaku Prize and in 1952 the prize for the best new artist at the 15th Shinseisaku Salon. Imai relocated to Paris in 1953, the same and subsequent year he exhibited at the Salon de L’Art Sacré. Meanwhile, he attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and the Sorbonne to read medieval history and philosophy. In 1955, Imai completely abandoned representational art in favour of abstraction. After meeting the art critic Michel Tapié via the artist Sam Francis, Imai was the first Japanese artist to join the Art Informel movement. In 1956 Imai was called upon by the Japanese artist Taro Okamoto to curate an exhibition entitled The World: Today’s Art in Tokyo. Artists such as Jean Dubuffet, Jean Fautrier, Lucio Fontana, and Karel Appel gained important exposure in Japan. It was also in 1957, when Imai arranged for Tapié and the artists Georges Mathieu and Sam Francis to travel to Japan, that a connection between Art Informel and Gutai occurred. The Ashiya-based Gutai Art Association formed in 1954 was proclaimed a kindred spirit by Tapié which he subsequently promoted internationally. Founding members included Yoshihara Jiro, Kanayma Akira, Murakami Saburo, Shiraga Kazuo and Shozo...

Brave - Vigorous - Manful by Lélia Pissarro (b. 1963) Black and red acrylic, red glitter 121 x 126 cm (47 ⁵/₈ x 49 ⁵/₈ inches) Signed, titled and dated on the reverse Executed in 2007 Literature Lélia Pissarro, Abstraction, London, 2008, p. 3 (illustrated) This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the artist. Artist biography Born in Paris in 1963, Lélia is the third and youngest child of Hugues-Claude and Katia Pissarro. She was raised, however, in the loving care of her grandparents Paulémile Pissarro, Camille’s youngest son, and his wife Yvonne, in Clécy, Normandy. From a young age, Lélia’s interest in drawing and painting was nurtured by her grandfather while she sat beside him at his easel, captivated. He taught her the fundamental Impressionist and Post-Impressionist techniques he had learnt from his father and brothers before him and watched as her skills blossomed rapidly. Standing readily on the shoulders of giants, Lélia sold her first painting to New York art dealer Wally Findlay, when she was only four years of age. When Lélia turned 11 she moved to Paris to live with her parents where, with the guiding support of her father’s teachings she began to broaden her skill sets. Under the watchful eye of her father Hughes Claude Pissarro, she became exposed to new environments and learnt to experiment with abstract styles and subjects. At age 14 Lélia submitted some of these works to the exhibition ‘Salon de la Jeune Peinture’ at the Luxembourg Museum in Paris. Being underage, however, she had to submit these works secretly under the pseudonym Rachel Manzana Pomié. With her parents dividing their time between France and California, Lélia found herself moving between Tours, Paris and San Francisco, all the while studying fine art and psychology at the University des Beaux Arts. She eventually settled in Paris to teach art at the Moria School and study oil painting conservation under the guidance of a teacher from the Louvre museum. During this time she began to present her work in solo exhibitions in Paris, Lyon, Mulhouse and Rennes. In 1988 Lélia married English art dealer David Stern and moved to London. Their three children Kalia, Lyora and Dotahn, all paved their own way in the art world. From 1995 Lélia participated in a series of exhibitions entitled Pissarro – The Four Generations, which were held in galleries in London, Tel Aviv, Boston, Austin, San Francisco, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Los Angeles as well as a number of museums in Japan in 1998 and the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2000. In 1999 Lélia also became one of the founders of the Sorteval Press, a group of artists dedicated to developing techniques in etching and printmaking. Their first exhibition took place at the Mall Gallery in London. In 2005 following a long break in painting because of cancer, Lélia started a journey into modern art creating a number of different series: Circles, Shoes, Animals, exploring these until she reached the point of abstraction and minimalism. Developing innovative techniques, she began incorporating in her work new materials such as gold, wax and encaustic paint. To coincide with a major exhibition at Stern Pissarro...

Stephen Mueller (American, 1947-2011) Southwest Spirit, 1973 Mixed media on paper Signed 'Stephen Mueller 4 '73 NYC' on the reverse Full sheet: 36 x 24 inches In vintage wood frame. Over all dimensions 39.75 X 27.75 Inches Provenance: William Talbot...

Abstract Geometric Composition with Handmade Paper, Fibers and Acrylic on Canvas (Red) Whimsical abstract composition by an unknown artist (20th Century). Red acrylic paint makes up...