HAROLD TOWN "EXEMPLAIRE" c. 1970
Harold Town (1924-1990) is renowned across Canada for his eclectic and dynamic body of work.
In the 1950s, Town established his reputation with a series of abstract monotypes (called "Single Autographic Prints"). He would exhibit these works at the Venice Biennale to great fanfare in Europe and beyond. By the 1960s, he was considered the most famous artist in Canada.
Town fearlessly experimented. Consider how different his "Toy Horse" is from his "Single Autographic Prints" or even his "Pop Star/Icon" works. In every decade, Town would switch gears and embark on a new series with new material, courage, and conviction.
Until the late 1960s, Town's abstract works were critically and commercially embraced. The "Stretch" series, and the response, were a major departure from his previous work. Was Town responding to emerging trends in the art world (such as Minimalism and hard-edge abstraction)? Town's oeuvre has little connection to minimalism, and he can arguably be understood as a maximalist, always aiming for extravagance, layers, and bravado.
"Exemplaire" presents a diversion for the artist, who repurposes the colophon page from a set of Bernard Buffet lithographs into a unique work. There are serval instances where artists "hijack" existing works to alter or reinterpret them. This type of unofficial collaboration recalls Robert Rauschenberg’s "Erased de Kooning Drawing," where the artist famously erased Willem de Kooning’s drawing to create a new work.
In this piece, swathes of black ink twist across the center of the work, partially revealing the original text beneath. Three elongated details extend vertically across the composition, resembling an understated variation of the artist's iconic "Stretch" motif from the same era. Does this distinct serve as a quiet assertion of the artist's presence?
Today, Harold Town's work is represented in prestigious collections across North America including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), and the Guggenheim (New York).
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720
Visit our Toronto gallery on Thursdays or by appointment.
"Exemplaire"
Canada, circa 1970
Mixed media on editioned colophon
21.25"H 29.25"W (work)
Very good condition.
Note: the price is $2,950 CAD
Original: $2,950.00
-70%$2,950.00
$885.00More Images
HAROLD TOWN "EXEMPLAIRE" c. 1970
Harold Town (1924-1990) is renowned across Canada for his eclectic and dynamic body of work.
In the 1950s, Town established his reputation with a series of abstract monotypes (called "Single Autographic Prints"). He would exhibit these works at the Venice Biennale to great fanfare in Europe and beyond. By the 1960s, he was considered the most famous artist in Canada.
Town fearlessly experimented. Consider how different his "Toy Horse" is from his "Single Autographic Prints" or even his "Pop Star/Icon" works. In every decade, Town would switch gears and embark on a new series with new material, courage, and conviction.
Until the late 1960s, Town's abstract works were critically and commercially embraced. The "Stretch" series, and the response, were a major departure from his previous work. Was Town responding to emerging trends in the art world (such as Minimalism and hard-edge abstraction)? Town's oeuvre has little connection to minimalism, and he can arguably be understood as a maximalist, always aiming for extravagance, layers, and bravado.
"Exemplaire" presents a diversion for the artist, who repurposes the colophon page from a set of Bernard Buffet lithographs into a unique work. There are serval instances where artists "hijack" existing works to alter or reinterpret them. This type of unofficial collaboration recalls Robert Rauschenberg’s "Erased de Kooning Drawing," where the artist famously erased Willem de Kooning’s drawing to create a new work.
In this piece, swathes of black ink twist across the center of the work, partially revealing the original text beneath. Three elongated details extend vertically across the composition, resembling an understated variation of the artist's iconic "Stretch" motif from the same era. Does this distinct serve as a quiet assertion of the artist's presence?
Today, Harold Town's work is represented in prestigious collections across North America including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), and the Guggenheim (New York).
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720
Visit our Toronto gallery on Thursdays or by appointment.
"Exemplaire"
Canada, circa 1970
Mixed media on editioned colophon
21.25"H 29.25"W (work)
Very good condition.
Note: the price is $2,950 CAD
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Harold Town (1924-1990) is renowned across Canada for his eclectic and dynamic body of work.
In the 1950s, Town established his reputation with a series of abstract monotypes (called "Single Autographic Prints"). He would exhibit these works at the Venice Biennale to great fanfare in Europe and beyond. By the 1960s, he was considered the most famous artist in Canada.
Town fearlessly experimented. Consider how different his "Toy Horse" is from his "Single Autographic Prints" or even his "Pop Star/Icon" works. In every decade, Town would switch gears and embark on a new series with new material, courage, and conviction.
Until the late 1960s, Town's abstract works were critically and commercially embraced. The "Stretch" series, and the response, were a major departure from his previous work. Was Town responding to emerging trends in the art world (such as Minimalism and hard-edge abstraction)? Town's oeuvre has little connection to minimalism, and he can arguably be understood as a maximalist, always aiming for extravagance, layers, and bravado.
"Exemplaire" presents a diversion for the artist, who repurposes the colophon page from a set of Bernard Buffet lithographs into a unique work. There are serval instances where artists "hijack" existing works to alter or reinterpret them. This type of unofficial collaboration recalls Robert Rauschenberg’s "Erased de Kooning Drawing," where the artist famously erased Willem de Kooning’s drawing to create a new work.
In this piece, swathes of black ink twist across the center of the work, partially revealing the original text beneath. Three elongated details extend vertically across the composition, resembling an understated variation of the artist's iconic "Stretch" motif from the same era. Does this distinct serve as a quiet assertion of the artist's presence?
Today, Harold Town's work is represented in prestigious collections across North America including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), and the Guggenheim (New York).
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720
Visit our Toronto gallery on Thursdays or by appointment.
"Exemplaire"
Canada, circa 1970
Mixed media on editioned colophon
21.25"H 29.25"W (work)
Very good condition.
Note: the price is $2,950 CAD
