Michael Frary 1918-2005. "The Journey"

This work incorporates the technique decalcomania; a technique often employed by surrealists such as Max Ernst. Frary did a series of decalcomania landscapes with water in this manner. There's a related overview maze like piece titled "Perilous Passage". This piece is titled "The Journey" and it depicts a floating platform with a white and a black figure at center. Combined with the rorshack related quality of the decalcomania process, this subject of a floating barge with a marriage of the light and dark elements of the self at the center creates a suitably psychological and surrealist theme. Other figures are present at the corners of the vessel.
Phthalo green waters deepen the psychological qualities of the deep mauve decalcomania. This has an original label on the back with the title and a date of May 31 67'. It also reads Joplin which likely refers to a show he had in Joplin Missouri in 1967. Frary is most associated with Texas modernism. He was from Santa Monica, California and earlier in his career he worked for the MGM at department where he assisted with backdrop design for films with directors including Orson Welles. He taught at UCLA Los Angeles and University of Texas at Austin among others. Size of masonite board is 28" x 24".


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Overall condition is very good with some very light wear and damage to the frame. A bit of wear to the painting at the upper left. Someone later down the line has crossed out the 67' of the date and written 2000 under it, presumably a dealer who didn't want people to conflate it with the price.

Origin:
United States

Materials & Techniques:
Acrylic Paint, Masonite

Details:
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Country of Origin: United States
Art Subjects: Figure, Seascape
Frame Type: Framed

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Overall condition is very good with some very light wear and damage to the frame. A bit of wear to the painting at the upper left. Someone later down the line has crossed out the 67' of the date and written 2000 under it, presumably a dealer who didn't want people to conflate it with the price.