Armand Avril Figurative Sculptures

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...