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Burwash by Robert Gray Murray

Artwork by Robert Gray Murray, Burwash

Robert Murray
Burwash

painted aluminum sclupture
signed (incised)
24.25 x 24 x 8.75 ins ( 61.6 x 61 x 22.2 cms ) ( overall )

Auction Estimate: $15,000.00$12,000.00 - $15,000.00

Price Realized $28,320.00
Sale date: November 20th 2018

Provenance:
Collection of the artist
Museums Foundation of Canada
Dr. Shirley L. Thomson, Ottawa
Sotheby's Canada, auction, Toronto, May 26, 2011, Lot 143
Private Collection, Calgary
Born in Vancouver, Murray was raised in Saskatoon and later moved to New York City in 1960. The artist first studied at the Regina College School of Art developing a foundation for his practice, and upon moving to New York, he was heavily influenced by Barnett Newman's hard edge simplified abstract works with an emphasis on bright primary colours. Incorporating abstract expressionist elements into his sculptural works, Murray produced boldly painted aluminum works in geometric forms. Resembling the distilled stabile style of Alexander Calder, the artist's works command attention in situ, encouraging the viewer to pause and take the sculptural form in the round. Often, Murray would title his works after places and people calling attention to natural themes, juxtaposing the perceptive hardness of the sculptural forms.

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Robert Gray Murray
(1936)

HighlightsWatch Artist

Robert Gray Murray (born March 2, 1936) is a Canadian sculptor, printmaker, painter, and art teacher whose large outdoor works resemble abstract stabile style of Alexander Calder. Some of his installations have attracted controversy because of their abstract design.

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he has lived in the United States since 1960. He attended the Regina College School of Art. Upon moving to New York City, he was influenced by Barnett Newman and David Smith. Murray's works often call natural themes to mind through shape, color, and of course name; other works are named after people, places, or things in Canada and Alaska. The sculptures are primarily made of painted metal in twisting, geometric forms.

(Source: Contemporary Arts Centre)