Canadian Fine Art Auction

May 29, 2017

LOT 70

Lot 70

HAROLD BARLING TOWN, R.C.A.

HAROLD BARLING TOWN, R.C.A.
Lot 70 Details
HAROLD BARLING TOWN, R.C.A.

NO ROOM AT MONDRIAN’S INN

hotel key rack and paint
signed, titled, dated ‘59 and stamped by the estate, on the reverse
12.5 ins x 33.5 ins; 31.8 cms x 85.1 cms

Estimate $7,000-$9,000

Realised: $7,800
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
HAROLD BARLING TOWN, R.C.A.
  • HAROLD BARLING TOWN, R.C.A.
Provenance:

Estate of the artist
Private Collection, Toronto

Literature:

Gerta Moray, Harold Town: Life and Work, Art Canada Institute, Massey College, University of Toronto, Toronto, 2014.

Note:

References to the great Dutch artist Piet Mondrian appear in the art of Harold Town (1924-1990) throughout his career. For example in 1961 Town produced the collage entitled Death of Mondrian No. 1 (collection of Museum London) and in 1975-1985 an assemblage entitled Mondrian and Pollock, (Estate of the artist). Mondrian was also one of the subject’s depicted in Town’s series, The Famous. In this work, No Room at Mondrian's Inn, Town incorporates a pre-fabricated key rack from a downmarket doss house, which he has painted minimally in keeping with Mondrian's reduced and restricted practice.  

Central to Mondrian's art making was the grid system. For this work, Town capitalizes on the key rack's grid-like design, pre-ordained by its original purpose. But it is the magic of titling this work that transforms, indeed transmogrifies it from a randomly found cast-off to work of art. The elevation from object to art is contingent upon the title Town cleverly provides. With a legendary wit, Town's notoriously barbed and inevitably provocative prose are often eclipsed by his visual art making. However, an even a cursory consideration of the titles bestowed on series or individual works of art, this lot being an excellent example, will reveal his love of language and word play. 

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 70
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.