Quik
QUIK 1982 Crucifix series for Galerie HANS MAYER painting
1982
drawing in black marker on a cream-colored page in a sketchbook
22 × 13 cm
Unique
Location: paris, France
Arianee token ID
817487805
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About the artwork
A drawing executed in black marker on a cream-colored sketchbook page, this work serves as a preparatory study for a series of crucifix paintings. The composition features a stylized, haloed figure, possibly a rabbit or cartoon character, positioned beneath a cross. The cross itself is rendered with a textured appearance, suggesting a rugged or aged material. Around the haloed figure, lines emanate, indicating light or energy, while a star-like shape is visible to the right. The artwork is explicitly identified as an *étude préparatoire* for a series of crucifix paintings intended for Galerie Hans Mayer in Düsseldorf, Germany, created in 1982. This context places the drawing within a specific period of the artist's career when he was exploring religious iconography through his distinct visual language. The presence of a cartoon-like character with a halo introduces a blend of popular culture aesthetics with traditional religious symbolism, a characteristic approach in some contemporary art. The choice of a sketchbook page and marker emphasizes the spontaneous and exploratory nature of the work, capturing an initial conceptualization before its translation into larger-scale paintings. The dimensions of the piece, 22.00 cm in height and 13.00 cm in width, suggest an intimate scale suitable for a preliminary study.
Expert opinion
This drawing provides insight into the creative process of Quik, a prominent figure in the transition of graffiti art into the mainstream art market. Its connection to the "Crucifix series" for Galerie Hans Mayer in 1982 is historically noteworthy, as Galerie Hans Mayer has a history of exhibiting American artists, including those associated with Pop Art and emerging contemporary movements like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The gallery, established in 1965, has been a significant venue for modern and contemporary art in Düsseldorf. The work's market position benefits from its early date within Quik's career and its direct link to an exhibition at a reputable European gallery, indicating early institutional recognition of the artist's work outside of the United States.
About the artist
Lin Felton aka Quik was born in 1958 in Queens, New York. He began tagging on Queens walls at the age of 10. It wasn't long before he was covering the grayness of the city's trains with his name and recognizable graffiti. An active member of the RTW Crew, he has worked alongside the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Futura. After graduating from Parsons School of Design, Quik was spotted by Dutch art dealer Yaki Kornblit, who encouraged him to move to Europe, where he would become a recognized artist. His work has become a fixture on the international scene, and has been incorporated into prestigious collections. His work can be found in the collections of the Museum of the City of New York, the Studio Museum of Harlem in New York, the Becht Collection, the Martin Visser Collection and the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands.
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