VFA Recent Acquisitions, Episode #11

VFA, Episode #11
Mars 15, 2021

In January this year we began our “Recent Acquisitions” series of videos, each accompanied by a digital catalogue. We will continue creating these videos and catalogues every month in order to keep you abreast of our continued buying addiction! 

 In our March video we discuss two works….one by Janice Biala whose work is extremely rare and was one of the original women from the 1950’s Abstract Expressionist movement and an atmospheric “Color Field” canvas by Paul Jenkins we continue  are presenting a 1967 Adolph Gottlieb acrylic on paper, an early 1962 canvas by Milton Avery’s daughter, March, a 1967 colorful action work on paper by Norman Bluhm and a large 1960 canvas titled “The Illuminated Content” by Irene Rice Pereira.

 Behind me is a 1978 canvas by Paul Jenkins titled “Phenomena Land in Sight”.  This “Color Field” example is a rare canvas as many of his works become aggressive with overlaying impastic brushwork using garish colors. This large example is completely airy with his soft ethereal coloration blending elegantly with his delicate palette. It’s rare to find this quality in Jenkins work that becomes a window in time continuously revealing itself.

 Continuing with our “Recent Acquisitions” is an early 1962 canvas by Milton Avery’s wife Sally Michel Avery, a large 72 x 48 inch canvas by Theodoros Stamos from his “Infinity Field – Torino” series, two rare Mary Abbott works on paper from the 1950’s and a delicate mixed media Norman Bluhm that was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in 1963.

 Finally….we present a 1957 canvas by Janice Biala whose 1950’s work is rare and embodies a fresh force using color, gesture and rhythm in her fluid execution. An interesting tidbit of information…….Janice changed her name to Biala which was a river near her birthplace in Poland so she wouldn’t be confused with her brother, the now famous painter Jack Tworkov!! It has been brought to my attention that the National Gallery of Art also has recently acquired two works by Biala for their permanent collection.

 

Once again, I hope you have enjoyed our “Recent Acquisitions” video and please stay tuned as there is more to come.