Robert James Reed Jr. (American, 1938-2015), Tree for Mine, The Spare Rows Too

Collage with cut and painted heavy paper, assembled with staples on board 1988, signed and inscribed "For Maxine and Jack, with many thanks and warm regards. Robert, Bob, Bobby", unframed; presented with a color photograph of the artist and two figures in front of one of his works.

30 x 20 in.

A gift of the artist to the consignor and her late husband.

Robert James Reed Jr., born in Charlottesville, Virginia, was an American artist and Professor of Painting and Printmaking at Yale University School of Art for 45 years. In 1987, Reed was appointed to Yale School of Art’s tenured permanent faculty making him, at the time of his death, the School’s first and only African-American to be so appointed in the School’s then 145 year history. In his artwork, Reed is known for his geometric abstraction and personalized symbols to create a language of abstraction. He employs abstract symbols, color and deeply textured brushwork to create his iconic imagery. As Reed would explain, fragments, paths, cultural and universal signs and symbols, remembered childhood images and places are organized into his imagery. His abstractions are referential and have their basis in “real” form that exists solidly in the real world in real space. His work includes paintings, drawings, monotypes, prints and collages. (Courtesy of Black Art Story)

Wear to the edges of the board, some loose staples and pieces, light warping, some wear to the collage pieces.