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Stephen Basso
Lollipop Emperor. Carnival suckers and ancient leaders dark blues and greys

2025

$650
£494.55
€569.83
CA$922.80
A$990
CHF 531.01
MX$11,919.41
NOK 6,694.05
SEK 6,104.04
DKK 4,257.37

About the Item

Oil on linen mounted on wood signed and dated on reverse. ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with boundless imagination, wry wit and fearless color. His shrewd social observations often translate into eerily humorous figurative scenes and narratives. Mr. Basso’s works evoke a high level of inquiry. The fanciful, yet keenly observed characters are unpredictable and evocative. The viewer vacillates between surprise, delight, and consternation. A Brooklyn native, much of Basso's wildly imaginative artwork was inspired by travel to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and especially Mexico. Basso is particularly drawn to Latin American art, channeling its mix of Western and African influences and imagery into his vibrant, often surrealistic work. Combining a New York and a Mexican sensibility, he says of his work, "There is a natural surreal quality to Mexico that can collide with its harsh realities. One might call it bittersweet. It is often bawdy, but rarely vulgar, and images are everywhere. Love, hate, fear desire and of course, humor, never go out of style.” And he adds, " I like mixing high ideals with American irreverence." The elements of mystery, escapism, and humor blended with reality define his art. It is of a personal nature consisting of a cast of characters that inhabit the stage between the extreme highs and lows of life, a state of limbo where dreamlike scenarios are often pulled back to the reality of daily existence. Of his process, Mr. Basso says, "The paintings and drawings begin with objects around my home and studio, photos from various sources, and people I know, have known, or have yet to meet." By in large, Basso is self taught. (After initially attending the School of Visual Arts for Illustration, he realized painting was more engaging for him.) Seeking emotional honesty, he looked to the work of several "mentors": Max Beckmann, Francisco Goya, Willem de Kooning , Philip Guston , Marsden Hartley and Albert Pinkham Ryder - artists that spoke to the human condition.
  • Creator:
    Stephen Basso (1953, American)
  • Creation Year:
    2025
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Brooklyn, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1339117346872

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Blue Period artist as subject humorous observation coll blue and Grey tones
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Cupid s Last Stand bold color valentine theme dark humor hearts and cherubs
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pastel on heavyweight toned paper framed under glass in floater fashion cherry wood frame wired and ready to display ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels an...
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Carousel humorous dreamlike narrative story expressive human condition greys
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Wing Malfunction blue sky clouds hearts arrows cherubs in peril love humor
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pastel on heavyweight toned paper unframed signed on bottom. part of a series of valentine day theme paintings ans pastelsSABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastel...
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Sandwich boy food related theme dark muted color
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This painting was done on cradled wood board signed and dated on back. The rough texture is achieved by adding an pumice like material to the painting ground. It is a companion work ...
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