Aviary
Arsonist, 1995.
Scented acrylic on colored paper
68 x 54.5cm.
Collection of the Artist
Artist
Gumbie, a ten year old Tabby, did not begin painting until he was introduced
to it by the boarding cattery he stayed at while his owners were away
on vacation. four of the five paintings he completed there have been
sold for prices in excess of $1,500 and he went on to complete another
18 works at home before his untimely death in March of 1995. Three of
Gumbie's paintings were selected for exhibition in Montreal and a print
of his best known work, "Regular Rodent Rapture," now adorns his grave
stone at the pet cemetry in East York, Toronto.
Curatorial
Notes
"...his
seemingly random smears of intersecting color intrigue with their sense
of activity and must hide a deeper purpose." Rudi Fuchz, private assessment,
1995.
Sent In By: Ruby
and Daniel Ostroff of Forest Hill, Toronto.
Estimated Value:
Since Gumbie's death, his paintings have nearly trippled in value. The
work shown here has not been put up for sale but is likely to fetch
in excess of $5,000.