An abstract mixed media collage on board titled "Abstraction #1" by the American artist Murray Jones (1915-1964). Signed (verso) and dated 1964. Provenance: from the collection of a notable UC Berkeley alumnus.
Jones was recognized for his unique approach to texture, often layering paper and lacquer. He attended Duke University and earned an MFA at the Art Institute of Chicago. He found inspiration in the urban setting, developing a spatial aesthetic specific to Urban Regionalism in the Midwest. The influence of Surrealism, Constructivism, and Abstract Expressionism is evident in his works.
He was a frequent traveler to Mexico and Tahiti and also spent a year in Kyoto where he honed his appreciation of surface.
“a brilliant American abstractionist [who] drew from the traditions of Oriental art.” (a critic in 1959).
“immersed in the influences of surrealism as a vehicle for social commentary, and as a vehicle for engaging the subconscious….” (of his work in the 1940's)
Dimensions: 49" high x 49" wide