Acrylic Figurative Sculptures

Gaugin inspired 21st Century montage titled 'Manau Tupapau' (spirit of the dead watching) by French artist, Armand Avril. Mounted and presented in a custom built painted tray frame and signed and dated 2004 both front and back with a later sketch of his favourite dog Dimar in repose to the reverse. This montage fully demonstrates Avril's inspiration drawn from tribal art and Gaugin's famous painting of a Tahitian nude whilst also expressing the humour and joy that he puts into all his work. A very strong sculptural image and a feast for the eyes in searching for and recognising the materials used in making this piece come alive. This montage is made from carved wood pieces, paint, clothespegs and cardboard . Armand Avril was born in 1926 in Lyon. His father, Marcel Avril was a painter and collector of African art. At 16 Armand became an apprentice shepherd in Provence. Avril could always be seen equipped with a sketchbook and a book on the history of art whilst tending his flock. It was not until the age of 30, in 1956, that Armand embarked on painting as an autodidact, influenced by Raoul Dufy, Pierre Bonnard, Henri Matisse and the Lyonnaise School of Painting. He exhibited for the first time in 1957. In 1960, he left for a one-year trip to Africa. There he met the painter Jean Arène who introduced him to the village of Cotignac in the Var and to Louis Pons...

Jackie Shatz' wall sculptures encapsulate various suspended states of being. The images of swimming, floating and about-to gestures imply anticipation, hesitancy, anxiety or relief...

Jackie Shatz' wall sculptures encapsulate various suspended states of being. The images of swimming, floating and about-to gestures imply anticipation, hesitancy, anxiety or relief...

Jackie Shatz' wall sculptures encapsulate various suspended states of being. The images of swimming, floating and "about to" gestures imply anticipation, hesitancy, anxiety or relief...