Armand Avril Mixed Media

Gaugin inspired 'montage' titled 'Manau Tupapau' (spirit of the dead watching) by French artist, Armand Avril. Signed and dated 2004 to the bottom right and mou...

Mixed media montage titled 'Salut aux Eskimos' ( Hello to the Eskimos ) by French artist Armand Avril, signed, dated 2009 and titled to the reverse. This mixed media montage fully demonstrates Avril's inspiration drawn from Inuit art 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 techniques and materials used in making this piece come alive. This montage is made from wood pieces, plywood, acrylic paint and nails. The more sculpted areas of the piece stand out to around 1.5cm from the frame. The piece includes the artists favourite motifs of the French flag, fish and skulls. Avril's work will always make you smile as the images he produces are joyous and light and explode with great energy. 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...

Abstract Expressionist mixed media montage titled 'Danse Squelettes' by French artist Armand Avril, signed and dated 2002 bottom centre and signed, dated and titled with explanation of the inspiration of this piece to the reverse. Avril's inspiration here is drawn from an exhibition in the Grand Palais de Paris called, 'la mort n'en saura rien' in 1999/2000 in which works come together from across four continents to explore man's differing perspectives on death in different cultures. As always this mixed-media is created with the humour and joy and abandon that the artist puts into all his work. A very strong sculptural image. This montage is made on a flour sack with applied cardboard and acrylic paint. The more sculpted areas of the piece stand out to around 1.5cm from the frame. The piece includes the artist's favourite motifs of cats and skulls. Avril's work will always make you smile and has great energy. 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...

Imposing and very large scale mixed media 'assemblage' by French artist Armand Avril. The work includes the French tricolour flag colours, his symbolic cat sculptures and a highly colourful geometric image of the artist's mother sitting in a chair. The work is signed and dated to the reverse and comes with a certificate of authenticity from the gallery. This montage fully demonstrates Avril's geometric period 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 everyday objects used in making this piece come alive. This montage is made from wood pieces, plywood, oil paint, acrylic, bottle top and nails . The more sculpted areas of the piece stand out up to 3cm from the frame. 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...

Imposing and very large scale mixed media 'assemblage' by French artist Armand Avril. The work includes the French tricolour flag, figures and heads in various poses, his symbolic cat sculptures and large stylised poppies. The work is not signed but comes with a certificate of authenticity from the artist. This montage fully demonstrates Avril's inspiration drawn from tribal art 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 everyday objects used in making this piece come alive. This montage is made from wood pieces, bottle tops, string, paint, cork, nails buttons, clothes pegs and netting. The more sculpted areas of the piece stand out up to 4cm from the frame. 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...

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...

Large French 20th century 'montage' mixed media work by Armand Avril titled 'Trinité à l'oiseau'. This montage fully demonstrates Avril's inspiration drawn from tribal art whilst al...

Gouache and paper, mixed media, Signed in the middle center. Armand Avril, né à Lyon en 1926, est un peintre vivant à Cotignac dans le Var. Il est surtout connu pour les assemblages qu'il a réalisés à partir de 1968. D'origine modeste, cependant très tôt intéressé par l'art et les musées où le poussait son père, il s'essaie d'abord à la peinture. Cependant, Avril ne commence à trouver son véritable style qu'à l'âge de quarante-deux ans. Enfant, il est un habitué des musées de Lyon qu’il fréquente sur les conseils de son père. Adulte, sa passion pour la collection l’incite à se nourrir des arts premiers et d’artistes comme Gaston Chaissac...

Mixed media on plywood, signed on back. Armand Avril, né à Lyon en 1926, est un peintre vivant à Cotignac dans le Var. Il est surtout connu pour les assemblages qu'il a réalisés à partir de 1968. D'origine modeste, cependant très tôt intéressé par l'art et les musées où le poussait son père, il s'essaie d'abord à la peinture. Cependant, Avril ne commence à trouver son véritable style qu'à l'âge de quarante-deux ans. Enfant, il est un habitué des musées de Lyon qu’il fréquente sur les conseils de son père. Adulte, sa passion pour la collection l’incite à se nourrir des arts premiers et d’artistes comme Gaston...