Concrete Contemporary Auctions and Projects Contemporary Art Auction

April 13, 2015

LOT 29

Lot 29

TONY SCHERMAN, R.C.A.

TONY SCHERMAN, R.C.A.
Lot 29 Details
TONY SCHERMAN, R.C.A.

UNTITLED (STILL LIFE)

encaustic on canvas
signed in pencil on the reverse
19.5 ins x 27.5 ins; 49.5 cms x 69.9 cms

Estimate $3,000-$5,000

Realised: $2,880
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
TONY SCHERMAN, R.C.A.
  • TONY SCHERMAN, R.C.A.
Provenance:

Miriam Shiell, Toronto
Canadian Fine Arts, Toronto

Literature:

Smith, Pete. Interview with Tony Scherman. FOAM (Fine Ontario Art Magazine). 2010. http://www.tonyscherman.com/videos/FoamInterview.html.


Note:

Tony Scherman is one of the most provocative encaustic painters in Canadian history. He is mostly recognized for his stunning and textured portraits of individuals of historical and popular significance. Sherman combines wax with various pigments to make an encaustic, then applies layer upon layer slowly onto the canvas. This build up of material gives his work a sense of life and earthiness as the wax looks very natural, almost flesh-like. Blanketing the canvas with a heavy weight, the encaustic is dripped and scored across the surface creating an incredible sense of depth.

As seen here in Untitled (Still Life), Sherman has not always been a portraitist. In fact, his practice began with experiments in the genre of still life in order to better understand and engage with the traditions of art. In the 1980s, he began combining subjects with elements of abstraction. However, feeling limited in his expression by this style, Sherman then turned to representation and life portraiture. Yet the interest in still life remains constant in his oeuvre as it greatly informs his current practice. His work conveys beauty and the lightness and darkness of the human experience.

Sherman was born Toronto in 1950 and received his M.A from the Royal College of Art in London, England in 1974. Since then, he has exhibited professionally in North America and Europe. His works are widely collected by major museums and corporations and he regularly lectures at colleges and universities on both continents. He is also a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 29
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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.