"Schooner Taking Shelter from the Storm" by Joe Norris

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200 of 291 lots

200

Estimate:

CA$9,000 - CA$12,000

Sold

CA$8,500

Live Auction

Canadiana & Folk Art Featuring the Jim Fleming, Marty Osler, Susan Murray and Laing Collections

ARTIST

Joseph Norris (1924-1996) spent most of his life in the small hamlet of Lower Prospect, Nova Scotia. He began painting in 1972, after a major heart attack forced his early retirement from the fishing and construction trades. His works depicted life along the seacoast, with scenes of wildlife, nature and landscapes painted in bold, saturated colours. Norris' work included painted chairs, tables and chests in addition to his two-dimensional paintings. After his work was discovered in 1975 by Maine antique dealer Chris Huntington, Norris was able to live off of his income as an artist rather than disability allowance from the government. Work by Joseph Norris is found in the collections of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, and in many corporate and private art collections throughout North America.

Size

Frame: 26 1/8" x 30 1/8" x 3/4". Sight: 19 1/2" x 23 1/2".

Category

Folk Art

Description

Lower Prospect, Nova Scotia. 1991. Enamel on board. A powerful and fine composition of "A schooner taking shelter from the storm" by Nova Scotia master Joe Norris at his best. The work depicts a two-masted schooner taking shelter in the lee of a rocky outcrop, with a lighthouse and birds in flight in the background. In the foreground breaching killer whales and gulls are shown on the water. Presented in a broad frame boldly decorated by Norris himself in geometric designs using shades of blue, white, red, black and yellow paint. Signed lower right corner, "Joe Norris 1991". Titled on back "Schooner Taking Shelter From The Storm" and "F5928".

Condition

Very good condition.

Provenance

From the Dianne McFee Collection. Ex. Houston North Gallery, Nova Scotia.

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