ARCA OC OSA
1927 - 1977
Canadien
I Am Who Am
techniques mixtes sur panneau, circa 1969
au verso inscrit « fireplace »
32 1/2 x 48 po, 82.5 x 121.9 cm
Estimation : 15 000 $ - 25 000 $ CAD
Vendu pour : $109,250
Exposition à : Heffel Calgary - 220 Manning Road NE, Unit 1080
PROVENANCE
Collection privée, Toronto
Vendu lors de la vente Fine Canadian Art, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, 31 mai 2008, lot 210
Collection privée, Calgary
Within William Kurelek’s body of religious work, “I Am Who Am” is a rare depiction from the Old Testament. In Exodus 3:15, “I am who [I] am” is spoken by God to Moses at the burning bush – as an affirmation of God's existence. From the Hebrew “ehye aser ehye” the phrase appears variously in bible translations (“I am that I am” or “I am what I am”), and is often associated with the omnipresent and awe-inspiring nature of God. Kurelek’s dramatic rendition does not depict Moses, only the stunning phenomenon of the wildly burning bush: fluorescent oranges radiate from the glowing white center, contrasting with delicate and crisp green leaves and a rich, dark blue airbrushed background. The hand carved frame by Kurelek is integral to the work. Painted in the same vivid palette of orange, green and blue, the frame divides the image into three sections, emulating an altarpiece triptych.
Kurelek had been raised in the Ukranian Orthodox Church, but following years of psychological tumult and struggles with mental illness he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1957. Kurelek would go on to complete a number of ambitious religious series, including the narrative “The Passion of the Christ Series,”(1960-3), moralizing “Experiments in Didactic Art” (1963) and religious-satires “Glory to Man in the Highest” (1966). These major works were often accompanied by long explanatory texts. In this instance, Kurelek affixed a copy of Exodus 3:15-18 to the verso of this work.
Veuillez noter que les dimensions incluent le cadre fait à la main par l’artiste. Les dimensions de la zone peinte, excluant le cadre, sont d’environ 28 x 43 1/2 pouces.
Tous les prix affichés sont en dollars canadiens.
Bien que nous ayons pris soin d’assurer l’exactitude de l’information publiée, des erreurs ou omissions peuvent se produire. Toute enchère est soumise à nos
modalités et conditions de vente. Les enchérisseurs doivent s’assurer qu’ils sont satisfaits de la condition du lot avant d’enchérir. Les rapports de condition sont disponibles sur demande.