47.5 x 24 x .75

American. C.2000. House paint on plywood. A painting by the highly regarded American outsider artist Purvis Young. Self-taught, Young's work was often a blend painting/drawing with collaged elements utilizing everyday discarded found objects, such as the materials used in this bold creation. Signed, "Young" upper right corner. 47.5 x 24". From the Marty Osler Collection. $3000/4000. Purvis Young (1943-2010) was an American artist from Miami, Florida. As a child, his uncle introduced him to drawing but Young lost interest quickly. It wasn't until a prison stint in his teen years when Young regained his interest and began to draw and study art books while behind bars. Upon his release, he began creating thousands of drawings, and eventually ended up living in a vacant alley in the Overtown neighbourhood in Miami where he would adorn the boarded-up shop fronts with his art. His alley became a tourist attraction, and soon attracted the attention of art collectors including millionaire Bernard Davis who owned the Miami Art Museum. Davis helped Young garner attention and success, leading to his local celebrity status in Miami. His works were vibrant and colourful, and appeared almost like fingerpainting. Recurring subjects in his art included angels, horses and urban landscapes. His themes included social and racial issues, which led him to be credited with influencing the art movement terms "urban and social expressionism". Young's work has been featured in museums across North America, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art and more.