Skip to main content

Video Loading

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 17

Derek Carruthers
Colourful Surrealist Abstract Geometric Acrylic on Paper.
2005

$855.91List Price

About the Item

Late 20th century abstract geometric acrylic on paper by British artist Derek Carruthers. Signed bottom right and signed and dated to the reverse. A wonderfully colourful and lively juxtaposition of various geometric shapes, at times overlapping at times distinctly separate. Born out of an architectural grounding Carruthers liked to play with space. There is also a surrealist element to this painting as the artist liked to pose questions; why is there a small figure in the black egg shape in the centre of the image? A real pop of colour to attract the eye in any room. Derek Carruthers was an artist who persisted in asking questions. His whole career was inspired by the determination to enquire into the nature of art, examine its purpose, and attempt to explore that place where the individual life of the mind meets the external appearance of the world, where personal sensation rubs up against cultural assumptions. Not surprisingly, Carruthers explored, over the years, a language of pure form, abstract space, 2 and 3 dimensions, narrative and concept, personal and universal figuration. Looking back, over decades of work, however, each of these voices is pursuing a coherent set of questions, reflecting on the stuff of human experience. Carrthuers’ individual pieces can intrigue and charm, they can be warm and poetic and they can also offer gritty resistance to the easy gaze. They can challenge us to think about ourselves, our environment, our expectations, our place in the world. Carruthers grew up in the north-west of England having been born in Penrith, and one of his earliest memories of what art might be was formed by his encounter with the extraordinary creations of Kurt Schwitters. The latter had fled Germany in 1937, after his art had been labelled ‘degenerate’. He stayed, first, in Norway and then arrived in Britain in 1940. Carruthers had already encountered Schwitters' work as a boy, and had been launched on his own life-long examination of the nature of art. Carruthers was further inspired by Victor Pasmore and Hamilton (British Constructivists) who were working closely together at King’s College London and eventually offered a challenging course to all first year students. Thus, Carruthers – who was at King’s in 1953 to 1957 was encouraged to take a rigorous approach to probing abstraction, spatial relationships, and the interlinking of art and architecture. Having had the good fortune to have been an art student at such a time and in such a place, it is not surprising that Carruthers embarked on a voyage of artistic discovery. He showed his works with the major touring exhibition, organised by the Arts Council, in 1963, ‘Construction England’, together with Pasmore and Mary and Kenneth Martin. His work was also included in exhibitions of new art at the Drian Galleries, Porchester Place, in 1963 to 1965. Reflecting the more recent re-examination of post-War, British Constructivism, Carruthers’ work was also included in the 1992 show, ‘British Abstract Art of the 50s and 60s’, held at the Belgrave Gallery. This early work, in which solid or relief forms change their nature as they – or the viewers – move through space and time, deliberately challenges the human tendency to find comfort in regarding the world as fixed and knowable. In these years, too, Carruthers taught at Sunderland and Leicester Colleges of Art, before moving to lead the Fine Art course, as a Professor, at Trent Polytechnic (now the Nottingham Trent University). He was a dedicated educator, leaving to pursue his own art, full time, only in the mid 1980s. Inspired, perhaps, by this freedom, the 1980s saw Carruthers exploring new ideas. He turned from working in 3-dimensions, or collage and relief, and rediscovered the power of traditional materials, oil and watercolour, on canvas and paper. He moved away from Non-Objectivity towards a practice which explored both abstracted and figurative imagery. Throughout, he remained preoccupied with exploring the human condition: by this trite remark, we mean that he continued to question how each individual experiences the world; he explored the ways in which human beings create totems to make their mark, as if to claim immortality; he tries to, ‘symbolise the triangular relationship between humankind and religion and the art / architecture which it inspires’. Hence - as well as warm glimpses of holidays and home life - his work yields the Egyptian pyramid, the Graeco-Roman heroic figure, the Christian monument; and, ultimately, the ‘sexless, ageless, raceless anonymity’ of the artist’s lay figure. Derek Carruthers continued to ask questions, both about his life in a particular time and place, and about the lot of the human being on a universal scale. As an artist and a scholar, he saw himself at the intersection of these challenging states. And he makes you think........

Creator:
Derek Carruthers
Creation Year:
2005
Dimensions:
Height: 29.93 in (76 cm)Width: 22.25 in (56.5 cm)Depth: 0.04 in (1 mm)
Medium:
Acrylic,Handmade Paper
Period:
21st Century
Condition:
Gallery Location:
Cotignac, FR
Reference Number:
Seller: GB/Carruthers/Abstract. 1stDibs: LU1430214122892

You May Also Like

Untitled 24 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 24 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 24 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$915

H 16.15 in W 11.82 in

Untitled 38 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 38 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 38 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$915

H 16.15 in W 11.82 in

Untitled 12 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 12 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 12 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$1,129

H 29.93 in W 22.45 in

Untitled 16 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 16 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 16 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$915

H 16.15 in W 11.82 in

Untitled 06 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 06 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 06 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$2,020

H 39.38 in W 27.56 in

Untitled 02 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 02 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 02 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$2,020

H 39.38 in W 27.56 in

Untitled 23 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 23 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 23 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$915

H 16.15 in W 11.82 in

Untitled 22 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 22 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 22 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$915

H 16.15 in W 11.82 in

Untitled 20 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 20 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 20 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$915

H 16.15 in W 11.82 in

Untitled 19 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

By Tomasz Prymon

Located in Salzburg, AT

About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Untitled 19 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness

Tomasz Prymon
Untitled 19 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness, 2019

$915

H 16.15 in W 11.82 in

More From This Seller

'Spring'. Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Acrylic in Green on Paper.

Located in Cotignac, FR

Contemporary abstract expressionist acrylic in green on paper by French artist Christian Manoury. Signed bottom right. Dated 2020 and signed to the r...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

'Spring'. Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Acrylic in Green on Paper.

Christian Manoury
'Spring'. Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Acrylic in Green on Paper., 2020

$1,902

'Première Abstraction'. French Color Field Acrylic on Paper.

Located in Cotignac, FR

Abstract colour field acrylic on paper painting titled 'Première Abstraction'by French artist Véronique Simonet. Signed, dated and titled to the reverse. A wonderfully peaceful and ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

'Première Abstraction'. French Color Field Acrylic on Paper.

N Simonet
'Première Abstraction'. French Color Field Acrylic on Paper., 2009

$475 Sale Price

50% Off

French Mixed Media Abstract on Canvas.

Located in Cotignac, FR

Colourful, French mixed media abstract, acrylic, newsprint and ink from the 1980s. The canvas is signed and dated bottom right but we have not yet managed to decipher it. A colourful and engaging painting crossing over styles. The colourfield elements are reminiscent of the work of Mark Rothko, three defined bands of colour in orange/pink tones vertically dissecting the painting with one horizontal band across the top, and yet the elongated depiction of the female figures within the bands remind us of Gustav Klimt and his paintings of Adele. The background of the painting has been worked broadly with a palette knife whilst the detail has been added quickly and deftly with ink or finer brushstrokes. With the addition of newsprint (in French) the artist may...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Newsprint, Ink

French Mixed Media Abstract on Canvas.

French Mixed Media Abstract on Canvas., 1980s

$2,163

The Territory, Glasgow School Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media

Located in Cotignac, FR

A Scottish Glasgow School Abstract Expressionist mixed media painting by Grant McTavish. The work is signed and dated bottom right and is resigned and dedicated to the backboard. The...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media

Materials

Paper, Oil, Acrylic

The Territory, Glasgow School Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media

Grant McTavish
The Territory, Glasgow School Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media, 1988

$399 Sale Price

30% Off

'Landscape'. French Abstract Expressionist Acrylic on Paper.

Located in Cotignac, FR

Contemporary abstract expressionist acrylic in green and peach of a landscape on paper by French artist Christian Manoury. Signed bottom right. Dated 2021 and signed to the reverse. ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Minimalist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

'Landscape'. French Abstract Expressionist Acrylic on Paper.

Christian Manoury
'Landscape'. French Abstract Expressionist Acrylic on Paper., 2021

$1,426

Abstract On The Theme of Music, Hommage to Kandinsky.

Located in Cotignac, FR

An abstract painting on musical notation paper, hommage to Kandinsky, by French artist Delisle. Signed bottom right. This dynamic artwork is an abstract composition characterized by...

Category

20th Century Other Art Style Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Oil

Abstract On The Theme of Music, Hommage to Kandinsky.

Delisle
Abstract On The Theme of Music, Hommage to Kandinsky.

$1,022

Recently Viewed