RON MARTIN – Lost Works
Opening Reception Saturday, February 18th, 2 – 6 pm
exhibition runs: Feb. 18 – Mar. 18, 2017
The Christopher Cutts Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of paintings and collages by Ron Martin executed in the mid 1960’s.
This is the gallery’s 18th solo show of Martin’s work, the first of which was held in 1992.
“Lost Works” is a selection of paintings that have been in storage for the last four decades and were believed to be lost. In 2011 one of these lost works, that held importance in Martin’s early development, was remade twice and titled Myself and Miss McPhee. While clearing out an old storage locker in the Spring of 2016, crates were found and to the delight of all this incredible body of work was rediscovered, including the original 1965 painting titled Talking with Miss Sylvia McPhee.
The South Gallery is home to a selection of six paintings and one collage. The collage is placed side by side with one of the paintings, an example of Martin’s first foray into the celebrated “Conclusion and Transfer” work.
In the North Gallery, the original 1965 Talking with Miss Sylvia McPhee is juxtaposed with the two 2011 Myself and Miss McPhee. As well as, a small-scale oil on panel titled Indian Arm Wrestle, 1965 and a grouping of mid 1960 collages. The collages were inspired after Martin viewed an exhibition of Kurt Schwitter’s painted constructions and collages curated by Brydon Smith in the mid-60s for the Art Gallery of Toronto (now the Art Gallery of Ontario).
This exhibition allows one the opportunity to view Martin in his formative years, boldly forging his will upon the artistic landscape. It is, if we may – “A portrait of an artist as a young man”.
