Irwin Hasen

"The Revenge of Solomon Grundy"

2005

"Canvas of Crime," Irwin Hasen, 2005 Silkscreen on Coventry Rag paper Dimensions: 23.5" x 18" Signed by the Artist in pencil Artist's Proof Irwin Hasen (1918-2015) was a cartoonist ...

Renowned painter and printer, Gary Lichtenstein demonstrates true abstract expressionism via his spectacular use of color. His paintings and silkscreen prints, more than 200 oil-based and water-based works to date, exhibit mastery of the properties of light absorption and reflection, specifically with regard to the visual impact of color. Inspired by artists such as Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler, Lichtenstein creates canvases which have frequently been described as ethereal, and he has been praised as one who manages to capture a “sense of no-self…” In fact, the composition of Lichtenstein’s work has been referred to as atmospheric... “evocative of natural forms and phenomena.” In addition, Lichtenstein has collaborated with over one hundred artists during the course of his 49-year career. Despite, and because of, rich historical influences, Gary Lichtenstein’s vision and artistic intellect are uniquely his own and clearly evident throughout the enormous portfolio of work that spans his career. Lichtenstein’s work has been shown and collected by, among others, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT, New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian, the San Francisco Art Institute, the San Francisco International Art Expo, the Chicago Art Institute, the Butler Institute of American Art, the College of Art & Architecture at the University of Tennessee, the Silvermine Arts Center, the International Print Center NYC, the Boston World Art Fair, the New York International Exhibit of Contemporary Art, and Art Asia (Hong Kong). Solo exhibitions in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Hong Kong have been celebrated at the Rubicon Gallery, Susan Todd Gallery, Galerie Enatsu, and the Modernism Gallery. The Fried screen print collection can be found at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Whitney Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco. “Not enough has been written about Gary’s personal work as a painter and printmaker. The work, which can be categorized as “Color Field” has been informed by diverse influences, many of them not readily apparent to the casual viewer. One inescapable fact is despite Gary’s roots on the East Coast his artistic outlook has really been tempered by his thirty years in California, and by the Bay area in particular. Working with fabled San Francisco screen printer Robert Fried...

Original vintage Batman cartoon poster featuring a colourful illustration of the famous young comic book superhero sidekick Robin wearing his iconic Robin Hood inspired red and green costume with a black and yellow R badge on it, green gloves and boots and yellow cape, removing his black eye mask and shouting "Hold it Batman! It really is me - your ward - Dick Grayson!" with the title below: Robin The Boy Wonder. Artwork by the notable American comics artist Carmine Michael...

after: Joseph Shuster’s Action Comics #1 Cover (1938) and #19 Burning Flesh from Wally Wood’s, Bob Powell’s, and Norm Saunders’ Mars Attacks trading cards (1962) Framed: 9h x 9w in Continuing the exploration of Superman’s role as extraterrestrial anomaly – an alien who’s also a friend, I spent time considering how important one’s actions (on a singular occasion, in sum, alone, in collaboration with others, etc.) are in determining overall “goodness” or social value. In literally his first exposure to any reader, on the cover of Action Comics #1, Superman is shown smashing a large car against a rock, while three well-dressed men run away in fear. Taken by itself the image presents a deranged, super-strong vandal. It’s only upon reading the full narrative that we understand Superman’s action to be part of a rescue mission and the men to be gangster villains. When we allow Superman to be considered as an individual, responsible for his own actions, and over a series of events, rather than one incident, we find our hero. But when I offer Superman another alien (this one up to no good), and deny any exposure to a fuller understanding of circumstance, it’s much more difficult to separate Superman’s destructive actions from those of his new companion. Better Alone Than in Bad Company...