Kikio Saito, (Japanese-American, b. 1939)
Untitled Composition, 1975
signed and dated on the reverse
62 by 86 in. (unstretched/rolled)

Cf. Kikuo Saito, an acclaimed Color Field painter was born in Tokyo in 1939. At the age of 27 he moved to New York City where he has remained and continues to paint.

Color Field works look towards pure, often intense color as a fundamental element in abstract painting. Early in his career Saito apprenticed in the studios of Kenneth Noland and Larry Poons, two leading Color Field painters. Both provided Saito with inspiration, technical skills and encouragement towards his embarking upon the development of a personal style.

Kikio Saito's paintings are of large scale, minimally detailed and sumptuously colored. Ubiquitous shapes, linear details, calligraphic inclusions or seemingly-randomly placed accents set against sweeps of layered, often intense color, are characteristics associated with Saito's signature style. They are playfully engaging.

His work has been exhibited worldwide and are included in many of the world’s major museums.

The work was privately commissioned by a Calif. Gentleman from Saito directly. The back is inscribed Couri- believed to be the gentleman who commissioned the work. The ptg. is un-stretched, previously rolled, now hanging, some canvas creasing - but no of t6he creases are permanent. There is a brown-ish tint, covering or overpaint to the picture that darkens the overall color. Thought that it might be a bad varnish or discoloring of sorts but the over-color does not remove.