Cat, Horsehead and Sun Painting By Joseph Sleep

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Estimate:

CA$4,000 - CA$6,000

Sold

CA$6,000

Live Auction

Canadian Folk Art

ARTIST

Joseph Sleep (1914-1978) grew up in Saint John, New Brunswick. He spent his life working in the fishing industry and as a jack-of-all-trades before becoming a worker for the 'Bill Lynch Shows' travelling carnival. It was not until 1973, when Sleep was hospitalized at the Halifax Infirmary, that he discovered his passion for drawing. The nurses requested he draw posters for them, and provided him with paper and art supplies - a gesture which started him on his late-life career as a painter. He later opened a small art studio on Argyle Street in Halifax. His folk art pieces incorporated many materials including latex, cardboard, canvas, masonite, felt markers and even spray paint. Work by Joe Sleep is included in the collections of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University Art Gallery, National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of History.

Size

46.5" x 25.25" x 1.25".

Category

Folk Art

Description

Halifax, Nova Scotia. 1978. One of Joseph Sleep's favourite subjects was a seated yellow cat as depicted in this painting. This work was in the Joe Sleep Retrospective, at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia from March 26 to May 31,1981. It is reproduced in the catalogue as image 38. Joe Sleep used his skills to create alternative fantasies which gave him that unique vision with no regard to conventional painting. He achieved this by using animals and birds to convey a world of happiness and peace. Signed "Joseph Sleep 1978" at lower front centre.

Condition

Good condition.

Medium

Mixed media on canvas.

Provenance

From the Gary Grossman Collection.

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