27

Peter Alexander

1939-2020

Grey wedge, 1969

Polyester resin
Unmarked
Wedge: 91.325" H x 6.875" W x 7" D; Base: 0.325" H x 15" W x 15" D

  • Provenance: The Artist
    The Marmor Family Collection, acquired from the above, June 29, 1970
  • Exhibited: Santa Monica, CA, James Corcoran Gallery, "Peter Alexander: Sculpture 1966-72," February 16-March 16, 1991
  • Notes: This lot is accompanied by a purchase receipt from the artist dated June 29, 1970. It is also accompanied by a bi-fold gallery reception card from the exhibition noted above.

    Peter Alexander stands as a trailblazing figure in the realm of California Light and Space art, a movement characterized by its exploration of luminosity and spatial perception. Born and bred in Los Angeles, Alexander's artistic journey began with a unique convergence of architecture and experimentation. As a former protege of architectural visionaries Richard Neutra and William Pereira, he transitioned to the realm of art, enrolling at UCLA in the mid-1960s.

    It was during his formative years at UCLA that Alexander's affinity for resin, born out of his passion for surfing, crystallized into an innovative artistic approach. Experimenting with liquid resin, a material he initially used to mend his surfboard, he discovered its transformative potential. Mastering the manipulation of form, tone, color, and texture, Alexander pioneered a new frontier in sculpture, casting resin into abstract, visionary forms.

    His seminal work, "Grey Wedge" (1969), embodies the essence of Southern California's coastal landscape, capturing the ephemeral quality of 'June Gloom' with its hazy, inky hues. This piece, along with others crafted in the form of cubes, wedges, and wall-mounted bars, became emblematic of Alexander's ability to shape light and space through his art.

    A luminary within the Space and Light artists' collective, which includes esteemed peers such as De Wain Valentine, Larry Bell, James Turrell, and Mary Corse, Alexander's contributions have left an indelible mark on the art world. His work graces the collections of renowned institutions worldwide, from the Broad Foundation in Santa Monica to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

    In recognition of his profound impact, retrospectives of Alexander's work have been hosted by esteemed institutions like the Orange County Museum of Art, which presented "Peter Alexander: In this Light" in 1990. Additionally, his participation in landmark exhibitions such as "Phenomenal: California Light, Space, Surface" as part of the Pacific Standard Time initiative in 2011 underscore his enduring influence.
  • Condition: Overall good condition with scattered chips, nicks, scuffs, and scratches commensurate with age. The underside of wedge with chipped loss at the mounting to the clear base. With two small inclusions located 24" from the bottom along vertical edge, seen when illuminated with a flashlight and inherent in the artist's process.

    Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.

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March 26, 2024 12:00 PM PDT
Monrovia, CA, US

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