Lovers #1, a very large ink and brush painting done c. 1969 has just been acquired by West Coast collectors.

The earliest brush painting which later evolved into the series called ‘Attitudes’ stems from this original ink painting. Its large size and strikingly bold strokes evoked strong interest and led to further ‘Attitude’ paintings. These later pieces were reproduced as  silk screen prints in limited editions of 50 each, numbered and signed.   Lovers #1 was exhibited in NYC in the 1960’s at the NY Coliseum.   It is the only original painting in the series being sold by Murry Handler.

This painting was created as part of the ‘Attitudes’ series by Murry Handler when he was actively engaged in NYC as a graphic designer and principal of a graphic design studio whose clients included Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Hoffman La Roche and American Cyanamid.

First exhibited at J. Walter Thompson, at the time the world’s largest advertising agency, it was shown in their art gallery on 44th St. & Lex. Ave.   There were at least 10 brush paintings of the ‘Attitude’ series included in the show. Three days into the exhibition, Handler was required to remove Lovers #1 because it was considered too suggestive. Remember, it was the early 70’s. Nonetheless, Murry received several calls hailing him as the new Picasso of the Ad Busines!

Soon after that, a second exhibition was held at the Lynn Kottler Gallery, 65th and Fifth Ave. A third Big Apple exhibit of Lovers #1 was at the NY Coliseum, at Columbus Circle and 59th St. as part of an advertising trade show. A12 foot serigraph of Lovers #1 was made into a 3 paneled screen standing 6 feet tall. It blew the place away.

While the smaller pieces in the series were done on pads of newsprint paper, with standard brushes, Lovers #1 was done differently. Murry purchased a large roll of better quality paper, rolled it across the living room floor and proceeded to dip a rag-wrapped mop into India ink and draw directly onto the paper on the floor, then touch-up with a large brush. Most of the ‘Attitude’ paintings are available in limited edition serigraph prints (see them on the web gallery) this original painting was never intended for reproduction.

Voila, Lovers #1, measuring 34″ X 80″, the only super large brush painting of the series.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 1:03 am and is filed under News and Notes You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.