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Period: 1970s
Mythical Creatures III Psychedelic Pencil Watercolor on Paper by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Untitled - Mythical Creatures III, Year: 1976, Medium: Pencil and Watercolor on Paper, signed, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil, Watercolor
The Sphinx, Surrealist Pencil Drawing by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - The Sphinx, Year: 1977, Medium: Pencil on Paper, signed and dated, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Untitled II, Cubist Ink and Watercolor on Paper by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Untitled II, Year: 1976, Medium: Ink and Watercolor on Paper, signed and dated, Image Size: 16 x 24 inches, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x ...
Category
Cubist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
Mythical Creatures IV, Surrealist Pencil
Watercolor on Paper by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Untitled - Mythical Creatures IV, Year: 1976, Medium: Pencil and Watercolor on Paper, signed, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil, Watercolor
Cubist Abstract, Surrealist Watercolor and Pencil Drawing by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Untitled - Cubist Abstract, Year: 1976, Medium: Watercolor and Pencil on Paper, signed, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Do You Know The Way To San Anton
?, Psychedelic Pencil Drawing by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Do You Know The Way To San Anton'?, Year: 1977, Medium: Pencil on Paper, Size: 22 x 29.5 in. (55.88 x 74.93 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Your Face Is Familiar, Surrealist Pencil Drawing by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Your Face Is Familiar, Year: 1977, Medium: Pencil on Paper, Size: 22 x 29.5 in. (55.88 x 74.93 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
A Machine that Martyrs Pale Dissidents II, Ink on paper by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - This Is Not an Idea for a Machine that Martyrs Pale Dissidents II, Year: 1976, Medium: Ink on paper, signed, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x ...
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink
Sphinx and Cowboys, Psychedelic Pencil Drawing by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Sphinx and Cowboys, Year: 1977, Medium: Pencil on Paper, Size: 22 x 29.5 in. (55.88 x 74.93 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
…A machine that discerns alternatives, Surrealist Ink Drawing by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - This is an idea for a machine that discerns alternatives, Year: 1976, Medium: Ink on paper, signed, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink
Chance Meeting, Surrealist Pencil Drawing by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Chance Meeting, Year: 1977, Medium: Pencil on Paper, signed and dated, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Mythical Creatures I, Surrealist Watercolor and Pencil Drawing by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Untitled - Mythical Creatures I, Year: 1976, Medium: Watercolor and Pencil on Paper, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil, Watercolor
Positive Drawing III, Surrealist Ink Wash on Paper by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Positive Drawing III, Year: 1976, Medium: Ink Wash on Paper, Size: 22 in. x 30 in. (55.88 cm x 76.2 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink
Positive Drawing I, Psychedelic Ink Wash on Paper by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Positive Drawing I, Year: 1976, Medium: Ink Wash on Paper, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink
Untitled , Abstract Expressionist Watercolor and Pencil by Dimitri Petrov
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dimitri Petrov, American (1919 - 1986) - Untitled, Year: 1975, Medium: Watercolor and Pencil, Size: 27.5 x 41 in. (69.85 x 104.14 cm)
Category
Abstract Expressionist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
San Francisco Cathedral Landscape Watercolor -- Saint Ignatius Church
Located in Soquel, CA
A bold and colorful cityscape watercolor of an urban Basilica, the great Saint Ignatius Church of San Francisco, with its impressive architecture captur...
Category
American Impressionist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Untitled (Linear Composition in Black Purple and Orange)
By Joan Snyder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Joan Snyder's early 1970s period is known as the best of her career, now an iconic period of time for feminist abstract painting of the era. This fully finished work on paper reads l...
Category
Abstract 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Gouache, Archival Paper, Graphite
View of Venice - Drawing by Carlo Ravagnan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolor on paper realized by Carlo Ravagnan in 1970s.
Hand signed.
Includes a contemporary wooden frame cm. 51x69
Very good condition.
Category
Contemporary 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
View of Venice - Drawing by Carlo Ravagnan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolor on heavy paper realized by Carlo Ravagnan in 1970s.
Hand signed lower left.
Excellent condition.
Category
Contemporary 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
“Dockside Serenity”
Located in Southampton, NY
Here for your consideration is a very well executed original watercolor by the American artist, Erhard Ericson. Signed lower left by the artist. Condition is excellent. The waterc...
Category
Academic 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Archival Paper
$680 Sale Price
20% Off
Redish Egret, American Impressionist Watercolor Painting by Robin Hill
By Robin Hill
Located in Long Island City, NY
Robin Hill, Australian (1932 - ) - Redish Egret, Year: 1972, Medium: Watercolor, signed, Size: 27 x 20 in. (68.58 x 50.8 cm), Frame Size: 38.5 x 31 in. (97.79 x 78.74 cm)
Category
American Impressionist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Sexy Nude Woman Masturbating - From the Female Gaze
Located in Miami, FL
In 1976, Playboy Magazine hired a woman illustrator to artfully depict a young, attractive female masturbating. This could be a first: a major newsstand magazine and a magazine most...
Category
American Modern 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel
The society gravitates to an uncertain core by José Gerson - Pastel 68x50 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper without frame
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, Color Pencil
Marsh Watercolor
By Radel-Foesa
Located in Houston, TX
Serene French watercolor of marsh by artist Radel-Foesa, circa 1970. Signed lower right.
Original artwork on paper displayed on a white mat with a gold border. Mat fits a standard...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Abstract Composition - Drawing by Enrico Bianco - 1979
Located in Roma, IT
Mixed media on paper realized b Enrico Bianco in 1978.
Hand signed and dated lower right.
Very good condition.
Category
Abstract 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Apples and Cherry Blossoms
, Modernist Still Life
By Sally Mack
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right "Sally Mack" (American, 20th century) and painted circa 1975. Painted on Arches paper.
A vibrant, Post-Impressionist still-life showing branches of cherry-blossom...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Gouache
$637 Sale Price
25% Off
Lunch on the Patio Deck
, Pasadena Art Center, LAAA, Taos, Pittsburgh
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right, 'V. Wilson' for Vernon Wilson (American, 20th century) and created circa 1975.
Matted dimensions: 13 H x 14 W x .5 D inches
Vernon W...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel
$1,087 Sale Price
25% Off
Erotic Scene - Pen Drawing by Mino Maccari - 1970
By Mino Maccari
Located in Roma, IT
Erotic Figures is a Pen Drawing realized by Mino Maccari in 1970.
Hand-signed on the lower margin.
Good condition on a white paper.
Mino Maccari (Sie...
Category
Modern 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pen
Still Life in Long Island - New York - Drawing by Carlo Ravagnan - 1978
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolor on heavy paper realized by Carlo Ravagnan in 1978.
Hand signed and dated lower right.
Excellent condition.
Carlo Ravagnan was born in Udine on September 4, 1911, died i...
Category
Contemporary 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Abstract Foliage
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white French pen and ink with ink wash of weaving lines defining abstract complex alignements, circa 1970.
Original artwork on paper displayed on a white mat with a gol...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink
Mother and Child
, Los Angeles, USC, San Jose, Modernist Figural
By Louis La Barbera
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right, "Louis La Barbera" (American, 1914-2007) and tilted lower left, "Mother and Child".
Louis La Barbera first studied at San Jose State University, receiving his Ma...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Gouache, Monotype
$1,875 Sale Price
25% Off
Large-Scale Vertical Abstract Geometric Pastel with Red, Black,
Orange
By Renee Harwin
Located in Soquel, CA
Bold abstract large-scale vertical pastel with textural red, black and orange forms in a sweeping diagonal composition by Renee Harwin (Austrian, b. 1924). Tag on verso with artist's name, title, and mediums. Unsigned and unframed. Image size: 54"H x 33.5"L.
As a young Viennese woman, Renee Harwin found her artistic development interrupted by Hitler's arrival to her city. Soon after, Renee and her family left and moved to the United States. Harwin says that while "one can drawn his or her own conclusions from my work, I believe that the tremendous impact of change from Nazism to free America has left deep impressions on me that are played out on these canvases."
Her work combines the influence of Midwest painters such as Clyfford Still and San Francisco Art Institute instructor Jack Jefferson...
Category
Abstract Geometric 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel, Masonite
$2,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Abstract Composition - Ink and Watercolor on Paper by Peter Dischleit - 1973
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Composition is an original mixed media drawing in ink and watercolor on paper realized by Peter Dischleit (1940-1993) in 1973.
Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right marg...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
Abstract watercolor (de-accessioned from Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), w/ label)
Located in New York, NY
Robert Duran
Untitled #1 (with Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) label), 1974
Watercolor on paper
Includes labels from the Museum of Modern Art rental gallery label and Donna Schneier Inc; the artist's name is written on the board, not signed
18 × 23 1/2 inches
Unframed
This work was removed from the original vintage frame but comes with the back board with the original labels from MOMA Rental Gallery in New York and Donna Schneier Gallery in Manhattan (and later Palm Beach)
Robert Duran Biography (courtesy of KARMA):
Robert Duran (b. 1938, Salinas, CA; d. 2005, New Jersey) found his way from San Francisco to New York City in the mid-1960s, where he became associated with a Minimalist cohort that included Brice Marden, David Novros, and Paul Mogensen...
Category
Abstract 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
New York, 59th Street Bridge - Drawing by Carlo Ravagnan - 1978
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolor on heavy paper realized by Carlo Ravagnan in 1978.
Hand signed lower right. Dated on rear.
Excellent condition.
Category
Contemporary 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
untitled (Lady), Impressionist Watercolor and Pencil on Paper by Wayne Ensrud
By Wayne Ensrud
Located in Long Island City, NY
Wayne Ensrud, American (1934 - ) - untitled (Lady), Year: circa 1975, Medium: Watercolor and Pencil on Paper, Signed in Pencil, Size: 31 in. x 23 in. (78.74 cm x 58.42 cm)
Category
Impressionist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Vintage Watercolor Landscape -- The Workshop
Located in Soquel, CA
A colorful vintage industrial outdoor scene in watercolor by artist Diane Baldwin (American, 20th century). Signed "Baldwin" lower right. Unframed. Image...
Category
American Impressionist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
$300 Sale Price
20% Off
Untitled
By John Button
Located in New York, NY
Graphite on paper
Dated in pencil, l.r.
This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
John Button (1929-1982) was a fine draftsman and drew from life models throug...
Category
Realist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Graphite
1970s Italian Signed Drawing Credited to Marino Marini
Located in Roma, IT
A beautiful and important drawing credited to the great Italian artist Marino Marini.
It depicts one of his iconic subjects, Pomona, a voluptuous woman who was one of his favourite t...
Category
Modern 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Winter Coming
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower left, 'Donna Dearden'; additionally signed on old backing, titled, 'Winter Coming' and painted circa 1975.
A semi-abstracted study of abscised leaves against a variegat...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
$825 Sale Price
25% Off
Nudes in Fur II, Expressionist Watercolor Painting by Charles Levier
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Charles Levier, French (1920 - 2003)
Title: Nudes in Fur II
Year: circa 1970
Medium: Watercolor on Paper, signed
Image Size: 22 x 16.5 inches
Size: 28.5 in. x 22 in. (72.39 ...
Category
Expressionist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Peaceful Valley
, Country Landscape, National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
By Albert Blaisdell
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right, 'Albert Blaisdell' (American, 20th century) and painted circa 1975.
A watercolor and cartoon artist, Albert Blaisdell began his career in art after being wounded...
Category
Impressionist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Pappy (Study for Over and Above: Gorilla), Mid-Century Figurative Drawing
Located in Beachwood, OH
Clarence Holbrook Carter (American, 1904-2000)
Pappy (Study for Over and Above: Gorilla), c. 1973
Colored pencil on paper
Signed and dated lower left
7 x 7 inches
20.75 x 19 inches, framed
Clarence Holbrook Carter achieved a level of national artistic success that was nearly unprecedented among Cleveland School artists of his day, with representation by major New York dealers...
Category
American Modern 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Color Pencil
Mooseplunge, 1976 51/100 - figurative, playful, pop-art, serigraph limited print
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The iconic Canadian image of a moose— ‘the Monarch of the North’ is captured in this early serigraph by Charles Pachter. The black outline of a moose is viewed plunging off a cliff i...
Category
Contemporary 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Screen
Eagle Rock
, Woman Artist, Los Angeles, California, Ashland Art Center
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right, 'L. L. Rahm' for Laura Rahm (American, 20th century); accompanied by old exhibition label.
Matted dimensions: 14.25 x .25 x 11.75 inches.
Laura Rahm has exhibite...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel
$712 Sale Price
25% Off
Kneeling Nude
, American Modernist Graphite Figural Study
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right, "M. Decker" for Michael Decker (American, 20th Century) and created circa 1975.
An elegant graphite and india ink figural study showing a young woman kneeling an...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Ink
$712 Sale Price
25% Off
Nude of Woman - Drawing by Carlo Ravagnan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Watercolor on heavy paper realized by Carlo Ravagnan in 1970s.
Hand signed lower right.
Excellent condition.
Carlo Ravagnan was born in Udine on September 4, 1911, died in Venice ...
Category
Contemporary 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Fauvist Dual Portrait in Acrylic on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Vibrant double protrait by California artist Virginia J. Hughins (American, 1923-2004). There are two portraits in this compostion, partially overlapping each other. They are execute...
Category
Fauvist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic, Foam Board
Seated Nude
, American Modernist Graphite Figural Study
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower right, "M. Decker" for Michael Decker (American, 20th century) and created circa 1975.
An elegant graphite and india ink figural study of a young woman shown seated and...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Graphite
$712 Sale Price
25% Off
Abstract Composition - Original Pencil by Ronaldo De Juan - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Artistic Composition is an original pencil sketch realized by Ronaldo De juan (1930-1989).
Artist’s initials and date at the bottom of the left corner.
Hand-signed by the artist on...
Category
Contemporary 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Abstract Composition - Ink and Watercolor on Paper by Peter Dischleit - 1973
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Composition is an original mixed media drawing in ink and watercolor on paper realized by Peter Dischleit (1940-1993) in 1973.
Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right marg...
Category
Abstract 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
Abstract Composition - Ink and Watercolor on Paper by Peter Dischleit - 1973
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Composition is an original mixed media drawing in ink and watercolor on paper realized by Peter Dischleit (1940-1993) in the second half of the XX century, in 1973.
Hand-si...
Category
Abstract 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
Orange, Pear and Lemon, Impressionist Watercolor and Graphite on paper
By John Urbain
Located in Long Island City, NY
John Urbain, Belgian/American (1920 - 2009) - Orange, Pear and Lemon, Year: circa 1975, Medium: Watercolor and Graphite on paper, signed in pencil, Size: 11.5 x 16.5 in. (29.21 x 4...
Category
Impressionist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Graphite
Abstract III
By Tesson
Located in Houston, TX
Abstract modern in ink with blue highlights by French artist Tesson, circa 1970. Signed lower right.
Original artwork on paper displayed on a white mat with a gold border. Mat...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink
Classical Modern
, Stylized Figural by Woman Artist
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Painted by Dawn O'Malley (American, 20th century), circa 1975 and with certification of authenticity stamped verso.
A bright and harmonious figural painting in the Mycenaean style ...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Oil Pastel, Casein, Watercolor
$1,087 Sale Price
25% Off
Matthäus (26) 49
By Fritz Aigner
Located in Wien, 9
Matthäus (26) 49 by Fritz Aigner is a powerful and haunting artwork that confronts the viewer with themes of sacrifice, faith, and human suffering. Executed in a dramatic monochrome ...
Category
Contemporary 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Asphaltum
Untitled - Nude Portrait 1, Modern Watercolor Painting by Madeleine Scellier
Located in Long Island City, NY
Madeleine Scellier, French (1918 - ) - Untitled - Nude Portrait 1, Year: circa 1970, Medium: Watercolor, Size: 15 in. x 22 in. (38.1 cm x 55.88 cm)
Category
Modern 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Mother and Child
, Bolivian-American Modernist
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Painted by Norha Beltran (Bolivian-American, 20th century). Accompanied by old label from Hourian Gallery, San Francisco and with comprehensive artist biography.
Category
Post-Impressionist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Wax Crayon, Watercolor
$562 Sale Price
25% Off
Ferns and Mushrooms
, Art Students League, CCAC, San Francisco Art Association
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower left, 'L. Macouillard' for Louis Macouillard (American, 1913-1987) and painted circa 1975.
Louis Macouillard was born in San Francisco, CA on Sept. 8, 1913 of French de...
Category
1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
$1,387 Sale Price
25% Off
Animal Capers (Black Surrealist Artist)
By Roland Ayers
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Surrealist proto-Afropunk drawing by African-American artist, Roland Ayers (1932-2014).
Animal Capers, ca. 1970 .
Ink on illustration board, image measures 20 inches. inches; illustration panel measures 21.5 inches. Unsigned.
Minor staining evident in detail photos
Artist and art educator, Roland Ayers was born on July 2, 1932, the only child of Alice and Lorenzo Ayers, and grew up in the Germantown district of Philadelphia. Ayers served in the US Army (stationed in Germany) before studying at the Philadelphia College of Art (currently University of the Arts). He graduated with a BFA in Art Education, 1954. He traveled Europe 1966-67, spending time in Amsterdam and Greece in particular. During this period, he drifted away from painting to focus on linear figurative drawings of a surreal nature. His return home inaugurated the artist’s most prolific and inspired period (1968-1975). Shorty before his second major trip abroad in 1971-72 to West Africa, Ayers began to focus on African themes, and African American figures populated his work almost exclusively.
In spite of Ayers’ travel and exploration of the world, he gravitated back to his beloved Germantown, a place he endowed with mythological qualities in his work and literature. His auto-biographical writing focuses on the importance of place during his childhood. Ayers’ journals meticulously document the ethnic and cultural make-up of Germantown, and tell a compelling story of class marginalization that brought together poor families despite racial differences. The distinctive look and design of Germantown inform Ayers’ visual vocabulary. It is a setting with distinctive Gothic Revival architecture and haunting natural beauty. These characteristics are translated and recur in the artist’s imagery.
During his childhood, one of the only books in the Ayers household was an illustrated Bible. The images within had a profound effect on the themes and subjects that would appear in his adult work. Figures in an Ayers’ drawing often seem trapped in a narrative of loss and redemption. Powerful women loom large in the drawings: they suggest the female role models his journals record in early life. The drawings can sometimes convey a strong sense of conflict, and at other times, harmony. Nature and architecture seem to have an antagonistic relationship that is, ironically, symbiotic.
A critical turning point in the artist’s career came in 1971 when he was included in the extremely controversial Whitney Museum show, Contemporary Black Artists in America. The exhibition gave Ayers an international audience and served as a calling card for introductions he would soon make in Europe.
Ayers is a particularly compelling figure in a period when black artists struggled with the idea of authenticity. A questioned often asked was “Is your work too black, or not black enough?” Abstractionists were considered by some peers to be sell-outs, frauds or worse. Figurative* work was accused of being either sentimental or politically radical depending on the critical source. Ayers made the choice early on to be a figurative artist, but considered his work devoid of political content.
Organizations such as Chicago’ s Afri-Cobra in the late 1960‘s asserted that the only true black art of any relevance must depict the black man and woman...
Category
Surrealist 1970s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Archival Paper
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