1958 Clifford Mitchell Jr. African American Gestural Abstract Expressionist Oil

Description: This listing is for “Autumn Symphony, 1958” by Clifford Mitchell, Jr. (1925-2005) pictured above. About this work: An exceptional, early work by an important Connecticut-based artist, Clifford Mitchell, Jr. (1925-2005). This fantastic abstract expressionist composition was inspired by the artist’s love for nature and music. Mitchell often looked to nature as an inspiration for his art and would listen to jazz music in his studio while painting for hours on end. This work features blocks and dashes of autumn colors, including brown, orange, and green. The work fuses the energy of a jazz solo with the aesthetic of a warm fall day. This work was gifted by the artist to his wife, who cherished it and refused to lend it for exhibition. Hence, it has remained with the family, never before exhibited to the public. The style of this work is reminiscent of early works by Lynne Drexler, who was also an abstract expressionist based in New England during the time. The work is oil on canvas and is signed/dated in the lower left. It is further inscribed by the artist with the title on the reverse. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire one of the artist’s finest works. *The last two photos in the listing are snapshots of the artist (for reference only) Size: 16 inches tall by 23 inches wide (painting) 22 inches tall by 29 inches wide (frame) Provenance: Estate of the artist; Acquired from the above About the artist: Connecticut architect and artist Clifford Mitchell, Jr., a shy, modest, soft spoken, multitalented philosopher/poet who referred to himself as "a citizen of the world" was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1925. His passionate dedication to family and community was unparalleled. He served as a first Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in both World War II and the Korean War. While an undergraduate at Tuskegee Institute, he began a lifetime of public service and engagement by teaching architectural drafting to college freshmen. He graduated from Tuskegee in 1949 with a B.S. in architecture and received the Donald F. White Award for outstanding work in architecture (1948). While a student at Hartford Art School, where he earned a B.F.A. cum laude in 1958, he was awarded the prestigious Ruth Cheney Goodwin Memorial Award for outstanding work in design and painting (1957). He received the Faculty Award for outstanding achievement in painting in 1958. These two early honors were the first of numerous future accolades. Mr. Mitchell returned to Hartford Art School to teach interior design in 1969, the same year he was elected president of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Society of Interior Design, a position he held until 1972. As NSID president, he not only organized and participated in design seminars and exhibitions involving artists, architects, engineers, interior designers, and other design professionals, but also conducted tours, lectures, discussions, and demonstrations for school children in the Hartford, Connecticut, area to acquaint them with careers in art and architecture. From 1969 to 1972, he served as judge for the highly regarded Scholastic Art Exhibitions. As one of the first Black men in Connecticut to become a Registered Architect, Mr. Mitchell was responsible for design, production, specifications, and management of architectural projects that included master planning for the University of Hartford Residential Campus, the School of Engineering Building for the University of Connecticut, and the Berol Corporation Office Building (Danbury), among other structures. As Public Building Construction Coordinator and Town Architect for Windsor, Mr. Mitchell was responsible for the Town Building Program for a high school and public library, design and construction of a community swimming pool, and completion of a feasibility study for modifying Windsor public buildings to accommodate the handicapped. The Town of Windsor presented Mr. Mitchell with two commendations for meritorious service. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects. While a design engineer at Hamilton Standard (United Technologies; Windsor), Mr. Mitchell was responsible for basic engineering and management in connection with the Research and Development Programs in Environmental and Energy Systems. His accomplishments included the schematic design work for a Demonstration Modular Integrated Utility System Plant. Mr. Mitchell's artwork reflects his passion for life, his commitment to personal growth, his concern for human welfare, his respect for nature, and his architectural training. He was regarded as a master colorist, and his work is, variously, evocative, and inspiring, thought provoking and philosophical, or captivating and energetic. He won many major art awards including the Larry Aldrich Award (Silvermine Guild of Artists, New Canaan), Laura M. Gross Memorial Award (Silvermine Guild of Artists, New Canaan), Treadway Award (Silvermine Guild of Artists, New Canaan), Carling Prize (Connecticut Watercolor Society, Hartford), and the Albert Steiger Award (Springfield Art League), as well as eight Honorable Mentions and other prizes. He exhibited in national and regional juried and invitational group shows, as well as fifteen one-man shows. His work is included in the collections of the Connecticut Historical Society (Hartford), Burgdorf Health Center (Hartford), the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield), Hartford Arts Festival Collection (Hartford), the Low Haywood School (Stamford), the Mattatuck Museum (Waterbury), the New Britain Museum of American Art (New Britain), the Stamford Museum and Nature Center (Stamford), the University of Connecticut Health Center (Farmington), University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy (Storrs), White Pine Press (Fredonia, New York), plus numerous private collections, business collections, and corporation collections. He served as president of the Connecticut Watercolor Society from 1970-1972 and was a member of the Hartford Civic and Arts Festival Painting and Sculpture Committee (1971). He was also a member of the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, the Silvermine Guild of Artists, and the Springfield Art League. In a personal statement on the style of his work and his philosophy of art, Mr. Mitchell said, "It is not easy for me to write about my own painting. Nevertheless, I wish to explain briefly that I am seeking to integrate what I have learned through experience with what I emotionally feel. This integration may take form in many ways, such as a symbolic expression or a combination of reality and imagination and so on, all of which result[s] in a style of painting I call 'Abstract Romanticism.' Usually there are varying degrees of abstraction. Consequently, subject matter may or may not be recognizable. Color is...increasingly important for me and it takes on different meanings as time goes by. For subject matter I simply find some phrase of nature or an experience which is compatible with my temperament. It may be the city, people, architecture, the beach, plants, objects, and so on. I find my choice of subject is widely varied. I am stirred by variations and find it a demanding inward compulsion. My ideas and my work are universal. For me, art is universal." Condition: Excellent overall vintage condition. Canvas a little slack. No apparent restoration or repairs. Frame with typical minor wear. It is ready to be displayed and enjoyed! This work will be carefully packed and shipped with insurance and signature confirmation. Free local pick up is also available. International buyers - please note I cannot lower the declared value of the package for customs. I frequently receive messages from people after I sell an item, asking if it is definitely gone. If something catches your eye, don't hesitate to inquire before it is sold! Feel free to ask any questions.

Price: 7950 USD

Location: Morrisville, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2023-11-24T04:29:49.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD