Prints & Photography

April 1722, 2021
Auction begins to close at 2:00 am ET

Online Auction
LOT 41

Lot 41

Rodney Graham (1949-)

Rodney Graham (1949-)
Lot 41 Details
Rodney Graham (1949-), Canadian

UNTITLED DIPTYCH (OAK TREES RED BLUFF), 1993-1994

Two gelatin silver prints; each print signed, dated '95 (print date) and numbered 21/24 on the reverse. Published by the Art Gallery of York University, Toronto.

Each image 10.4 ins x 13.4 ins; 26.3 cms x 34 cms

Estimate $4,000-$6,000

Realised: $14,640
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
Rodney Graham (1949-)
  • Rodney Graham (1949-)
  • Rodney Graham (1949-)
  • Rodney Graham (1949-)
  • Rodney Graham (1949-)
  • Rodney Graham (1949-)
  • Rodney Graham (1949-)
Provenance:

Private Collection, Massachusetts

Note:

A theme that would see many incarnations in Rodney Graham’s decades-long exploration into “what is” versus what appears to be is reflected in his series of inverted trees. He was inspired both by his interest in camera obscura, a historical photographic process in which projections of a subject are inverted and reversed and by Robert Smithson’s "Upside Down Trees" series. In 1969, Smithson photographed trees that he uprooted then buried upside down in order to explore the concepts of alteration and displacement. These early influences resulted in Graham's iconic photographic series of oak trees taken in various locations around the world, including Belgium, Great Britain and North America. "Untitled (Oak Trees, Red Bluff)," 1993-94, are two of the most recognized images from this series. In an interview with Grant Arnold in 2004, Graham said of his inverted trees, “...they reference something that’s commonplace, something that humans accomplish with our own eyes: all images arrive the wrong way up when light hits our retinas; our brains constantly correct our ‘warped’ perceptions.”

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 41
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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.