Artwork on Front Cover: Sonia Gechtoff Flag Icon, 1962-63 Pastel, graphite and collage 18.75" x 14.75" Copyright © Sonia Gechtoff, Courtesy David Richard Gallery
Works On Paper: Unique Paintings, Watercolors, Pastels and Collages Online Presentation Featuring Abstract Expressionism, Color Field, Hard Edge and Op Art Selections By: Alcopley Ernst Benkert Dean Fleming Sonia Gechtoff Theo Hios George Hofmann James Kelly Oli Sihvonen Nina Tryggvadottir
David Richard Gallery, LLC 211 East 121 ST | New York, NY 10035 P: (212) 882-1705 www.davidrichardgallery.com
James Kelly Untitled, c1988 Oil on paper 16 x 20" Copyright © James Kelly, Courtesy David Richard Gallery
David Richard Gallery is pleased to present, Works On Paper: Unique Paintings, Watercolors, Pastels and Collages, An Online Presentation featuring Abstract Expressionism, Color Field, Hard Edge and Op Art Selections by the following artists: Alcopley, Ernst Benkert, Dean Fleming, Sonia Gechtoff, Theo Hios, George Hofmann, James Kelly, Oli Sihvonen and Nina Tryggvadottir. This online presentation will be available June 10 through July 10, 2019. This is the first of a series of online presentations and catalogs featuring works on paper by many artists working in the areas of Abstract Expressionism, Color Field, Hard Edge, geometric abstraction, Op Art, Pattern Painting, landscape and figurative painting. The media the artists used range from oil, acrylic, gouache, watercolor, pastel, pencil, ink, lithography, screen prints, wood block prints, collage, models, and maquettes.
Alcopley Untitled 54-01 (ALC-OiCoP-54/01), 1954 Oil, ink, and collage on paper 42" x 30" Framed size - 43.5" x 32" x 1.5" Copyright © Alcopley, Courtesy David Richard Gallery
Emphasizing works on paper in this presentation is important for several reasons. First, the artworks tend to be smaller and more price accessible as compared to larger paintings. They are a very good value and easy to move around and place in other spaces as collections grow and expand with certain artists or bodies of works. Thus, they are a great way to begin a collection on a limited budget. Second, works on paper are also a way for a seasoned collector with a large collection to explore certain aspects of an artist’s career or to invest in another related artist to have an example of work to further and support the broader collection without investing the larger sums for a painting.
Nina Tryggvadottir Abstraction (NT-CP-52-15), 1952 Collage and ink on paper 25.5 x 21.69" Framed size 30.75" x 26" Copyright © Nina Tryggvadottir, Courtesy David Richard Gallery
A third, and slightly more academic reason for considering and collecting works on paper is they can be a direct view into the artist’s creative process and how they think about a particular artwork or series of works. Often, the artist feels loose and free to experiment with works on paper, as there is not the same pressure as working on a large canvas. Many collectors like works on paper for that reason, as they often capture the nascent thoughts, edits and revisions in real time as the artist was conceiving and refining a concept for an artwork or a body of work. In this instance, a picture really is worth a thousand words as sometimes it is easier to just see what an artist was trying to achieve on the paper without trying to express it in text.
George Hofmann Untitled Drawing 30, 1978 Pastel on Arches paper 30" x 42" Copyright © George Hofmann, Courtesy David Richard Gallery
Many artists love drawing, sketching and working on paper and often conceive certain series specifically for paper to let them more fully explore an area of work or multiple versions of a series. Sonia Gechtoff, James Kelly, Robert Murray, George Hofmann, Julian Stanczak and Oli Sihvonen, to name just a few, conceived specific series of drawings, prints and paintings specifically for paper. The works on paper are an important part of the creative process, but also an important support and way for artists to fully explore the many avenues of their studio practice.
Theo Hios Untitled 3 & 4, 1970 Watercolor on paper 17.5" x 11.75" Copyright © Theo Hios, Courtesy David Richard Gallery
Dean Fleming Tunis, 1964 Gouache on paper 4.5" x 4.5" Paper size is 6.5" x 5" Mat size is 20" x 16" Copyright © Dean Fleming, Courtesy David Richard Gallery
Oli Sihvonen Untitled, Yellow Dots (281), c 1980 Mixed media on paper 18" x 24" Copyright © Oli Sihvonen, Courtesy David Richard Gallery
Ernst Benkert Untitled, 1960 Gouache on paper 12" x 9.125" Copyright © Ernst Benkert, Courtesy David Richard Gallery