Harold Town (1924-1990) is the ultimate chameleon of Canadian art.  

He was one of the founders of the Painters Eleven group, and an influential early adopter of Abstract painting in Canada. To this day he remains one of the most fascinating and high profile artists from the group. Town's reputation goes beyond Painters Eleven, as he is arguably one of Canada's most productive and creative artists.

Despite Town's association with the emergence of Abstraction in Canada, Town completed several series that embraced figuration. Beginning in the 1970's, (possibly his most under-appreciated era) he produced three series that explored figuration: the Vale Variations (1972–77), the Gods (1975–79), and  (1976–84). 

Town had always been fascinated by history and mythology. He expended his knowledge vastly by exploring equine paintings and sculptures during his dedicated study of ancient civilizations.

Following his initial pencil drawings Town began to produce thick clack outlines on a sturdy horse’s body. In the God Series, he put them into action, galloping, prancing, racing and trotting. He experienced with blocky shapes to create a horse that is sculptural, with a shape that has sharp edges to its lines.

While the works directly reference specific mythological stories, the works themselves have the characteristics of Town's best abstractions; riotous layered colors, elaborate textures and a general dynamism. 

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God series #22

Mixed media on paper

Signed and dated by the Artist 

Canada, 1975.

19”H 25”W (work)

24.5”H 30.5”W (framed)

Very good condition

Provenance: Waddington Galleries, Gallery Gevik