"My painting is tomorrow's painting. Watch and see..."
Bold words from the artist Forrest Bess (1911-1977) - but also prescient. The painter, fisherman, visionary and eccentric is today remembered by collectors and experts as being one of the most original American artists of his generation.
Now Christie's is honouring the artist with a unique private selling exhibition at its special gallery in New York, between March 1 and April 3. Even better, the auction's proceeds going to a good cause and will benefit the University of Texas MD's Anderson Cancer Center.
The auction will include pieces from the noted Harry Burkhart Collection among its 40-plus works for sale. In the words of Christie's, the selling exhibition will offer "a rare and comprehensive view" of Forrest Bess's oeuvre.
 This piece, signed 'A STAR - 1967 Forrest Bess' is for sale |
The exhibition is named 'My painting is tomorrow's painting. Watch and see' after Bess's self-assured quoted, and will undoubtedly attract high-end bidders from far and wide. The originality and influence of Bess's works can still be found in many of today's modern artworks.
The exhibition will last five weeks and promises to be quite an event, coinciding with the Armory Show and the Whitney Museum of American Art Biennial.
Collectors' enjoyment of the event will be enhanced with fully-illustrated catalogues and original texts by art historian and Dean of the Yale University School of Art Robert Storr, and the writer and cultural critic Wayne Koestenbaum.
Watch this space for more news on the sale.
