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William S. Burroughs
'American Action Abstract', Large Beat Generation Diptych, Naked Lunch, Ginsberg

1993

$95,000
£71,432.35
€82,950.28
CA$132,665.50
A$147,135.87
CHF 77,268.54
MX$1,806,933.06
NOK 978,146.39
SEK 922,405.15
DKK 618,900.30
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About the Item

Signed lower right, right-hand canvas, "William S. Burroughs" (American, 1914-1997), dated "1993" and titled "Exterminator II'. Signed on lower left, left-hand canvas, "Steven Lowe" (American, 1947-2007) and dated "93". Diptych size: 72 x 96 inches. Individual panel size: 72 x 48 Inches. Condition: Excellent A monumental Action Abstract comprising energetically interwoven swirls of parchment and ivory contrasted against a rich, dark-chestnut ground. This diptych is the largest recorded work by the artist. An icon of twentieth-century counter-culture, William Burroughs was the seminal, postmodern author of 'The Naked Lunch' and the intellectual éminence grise of the Beat Generation. He remains "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th century." (Junkie, Penguin Modern Classics, 2003). Created with Burroughs' long-time collaborator and alter-ego, Steven Lowe, this work shows a harmonized balancing of the fevered energy that characterized Burroughs' literary, artistic and personal life. Accompanied by a first edition volume of 'Paper Cloud, Thick Pages' by William Burroughs, (1993, ArT Random and Kyoto Shoin, Japan) and a copy of 'exterminator!' by William S. Burroughs, for which a detail of this painting was used as the book cover illustration.
  • Creator:
    William S. Burroughs (1914 - 1997, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1993
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 72 in (182.88 cm)Width: 96 in (243.84 cm)Depth: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    very minor marks; unframed; shows well.
  • Gallery Location:
    Santa Cruz, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU34416611172

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