41
Duane Michals
(American, b. 1932)
The Wizard of the Woods, 2008
Estimate: $800-$1,200
Sold
$1,500
Live Auction
Master of Ceremonies: The Joel Grey Collection
Size
11 x 20 inches.
Description
Duane Michals
(American, b. 1932)
The Wizard of the Woods, 2008
chromogenic print with handwritten text
signed, dated 5 22 08, dedicated For Joel, and numbered 1/25 in white ink
11 x 20 inches.
The Collection of Joel Grey
Condition
Framed: 13 1/2 x 22 1/2 inches.Some gentle handling creases are generally apparent along extreme right and left edges. There are also two extremely fine lines, almost running parallel, visible in raking light. One is above the last line of text and the other is approx. 1 inch below last line of text. Otherwise, largely very good condition. Please note that this work was not removed from its frame for examination.
Signature
signed, dated 5 22 08, dedicated For Joel, and numbered 1/25 in white ink
Provenance
Provenance:The Artist.Gifted from the above in 2008.Lot Note:Duane Michals is a pioneering American photographer known for his deeply personal, often philosophical photo sequences that blend image and text to explore themes of identity, memory, love, and mortality. A self-taught artist, Michals broke away from traditional photographic norms in the 1960s and 70s, introducing narrative and handwritten captions into his work- transforming photography into a poetic, introspective art form.Mr. Grey, who owns several of Michals’s works, speaks of him with warmth and admiration: “He’s a genius – I mean he knows more about art than almost anyone I know… and he’s a good friend.” Their friendship began serendipitously- “I think walking down the street where I lived,” Grey recalls- and blossomed through a shared passion for theater and art. Grey describes Michals as “one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet, and one of the smartest,” noting that he’s always creating: “He never stops. He’s just a genius.” For Grey, Michals is not only a brilliant visual artist but also “a poet” whose work continues to inspire.