Please note our offices will be closed from Friday March 29 through Monday April 1 for Easter. Local pick-ups will start on Tuesday April 2.
ONLINE AUCTION
Post-War & Contemporary Art
1st session

September 01 - September 29, 2022

LOT DETAILS
         
         
         
         

This session is closed for bidding.
Current bid: $18,000 CAD
Bidding History
Paddle # Date Amount

32062 02-Sep-2022 02:29:55 PM $18,000

The bidding history list updated on: Thursday, March 28, 2024 12:27:53

LOT 033

CGP CPE CSGA OC OSA P11 RCA
1924 - 1990
Canadian

Space Roulette
oil and Lucite 44 on linen
signed and dated 1959 and on verso signed, titled on a label, dated and inscribed "oil and Lucite 44 on linen from Shea's Theatre, Toronto"
34 x 34 in, 86.4 x 86.4 cm

Estimate: $20,000 - $25,000 CAD

Sold for: $22,500

Preview at:

PROVENANCE
Estate of Harry John Hodder, Ottawa
A gift to the present Private Estate, Ontario

LITERATURE
Iris Nowell, Harold Town, 2014, page 64


Harold Town’s Space Roulette was produced near the end of the Painters Eleven period (1953 to 1960). This group, which included Town, opened up an exciting new world of Abstract Expressionism to the Canadian art scene. Unlike Montreal’s Refus global artists, Painters Eleven did not create a manifesto, but they issued a statement: “There is no manifesto here for the times, there is no jury but time…there is a profound regard for the consequences of our complete freedom.” Painters Eleven set off a bomb on the Toronto art scene – they had bohemian lifestyles, they were painting abstractly, and they were shown by new dealers, whose spirited exhibitions were regularly covered by the press.

Freedom was important to Town, who kept challenging himself in a prodigious range of styles, techniques and subjects. The 1950s were an exciting and successful time for him – for example, in 1956 the National Gallery chose Town to represent Canada at the 28th Venice Biennale, alongside Jack Shadbolt and Louis Archambault.


All prices are in Canadian Dollars


Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information posted, errors and omissions may occur. All bids are subject to our Terms and Conditions of Business. Bidders must ensure they have satisfied themselves with the condition of the Lot prior to bidding. Condition reports are available upon request.