RAY MEAD "UNTITLED ABSTRACT" ACRYLIC, 1988
A founding member of Painters Eleven, Ray Mead (1921-1988) occupies a distinct place within the arc of postwar Canadian abstraction. Although Ray Mead was British, having studied at the famed Slade School of Art, and later serving in the Royal Air Force during the war, his career as an artist was established and blossomed in Canada. Mead immigrated to Canada and settled in Hamilton in 1946. He had important relationships with Walter Yarwood and Hortense Gordon. The later shared many of her lessons that she had absorbed from studying with Hans Hoffmann. In the early 1950's Mead made several trips to New York City being influenced by the nascent dominance of Abstract Expressionism. As a result Mead's work is a fine synthesis of both European Modernism and mid-century American abstraction. Mead, deservingly would be part of the first group of members of Painters Eleven. Mead was not nearly as active as some of his contemporaries (notably Harold Town and William Ronald) after the demise of Painters Eleven. He took a significant amount of time off from being a studio artist in order to focus on graphic design. However, during Mead's last decade of life he experienced somewhat of a creative renaissance creating a body of work that is arguably more iconic, defined and signature than his work during the 1950's and 60's. Alternating between gestural, playful and tough Mead's works from the 1980's and early 90's are evocative of both Robert Motherwell and Cy Twombly. This painting on paper is a fine example of Ray Mead fantastic last decade. Questions about this piece? Contact us, call +1.416.704.1720, or visit our Toronto Gallery. Untitled (Abstract) Canada, 1988 Acrylic on wove paper Signed and dated, lower left 32"H 39.75"W (work) Very good condition Note: price is $4,000 CAD