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Towards Abstraction and Beyond
Becoming Gustav Metzger: Uncovering The Early Years, 1945-59

Towards Abstraction and Beyond: Becoming Gustav Metzger: Uncovering The Early Years, 1945-59

Forthcoming exhibition
  • Overview
  • Works
  • Press release
  • Abstract studies- This group of colourful abstract works date from the early 1950s. By this time Metzger had become a favoured pupil of Bomberg’s, attending his life drawing and composition classes at the Borough Polytechnic twice weekly until 1953. Commu
  • Composition, c. 1950-53, chalk and charcoal on paper, 52 x 38.2cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Composition, c. 1950-53

    Chalk and charcoal on paper

    52 x 38.2cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Composition, c.1950-53, chalk and charcoal on paper, 52 x 38.2cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Composition, c.1950-53

    Chalk and charcoal on paper

    52 x 38.2cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Composition, c.1950- 1953, charcoal and coloured chalk on paper, 28.5 x 38cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Composition, c.1950- 1953

    Charcoal and coloured chalk on paper

    28.5 x 38cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Drawing, c. 1953, coloured chalk on paper, 35 x 28cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Drawing, c. 1953

    Coloured chalk on paper

    35 x 28cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

  • Drawing, c. 1953, coloured chalk on paper, 35 x 28cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Drawing, c. 1953

    Coloured chalk on paper

    35 x 28cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Drawing, c.1953, coloured chalk on paper, 35 x 28cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Drawing, c.1953

    Coloured chalk on paper

    35 x 28cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Drawing, c.1953, coloured chalk on paper, 35 x 28cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Drawing, c.1953

    Coloured chalk on paper

    35 x 28cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Untitled (London phone book series), c.1957-58, oil on paper, 17.5 x 20.7cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Untitled (London phone book series), c.1957-58

    Oil on paper

    17.5 x 20.7cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Untitled (London phone book series), c.1957-58, oil on paper, 17.5 x 20.7cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Untitled (London phone book series), c.1957-58

    Oil on paper

    17.5 x 20.7cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Untitled (London phone book series), c.1957-58, oil on paper, 17.5 x 20.7cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Untitled (London phone book series), c.1957-58

    Oil on paper

    17.5 x 20.7cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Works on cardboard and board- In 1953 Metzger’s relationship with his teacher, David Bomberg had become ‘very complicated’. Metzger resigned from the Borough Bottega, the exhibiting society he had helped to form around Bomberg leading Bomberg unexpectedly
  • Untitled, c. 1956-60, oil on paper laid down on board, 56 x 46cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Untitled, c. 1956-60

    Oil on paper laid down on board

    56 x 46cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Untitled, c. 1947-53, oil on board, 122 x 117cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Untitled, c. 1947-53

    Oil on board

    122 x 117cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Painting, c.1957-58, oil on board, 35 x 28cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting, c.1957-58

    Oil on board

    35 x 28cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Untitled, c. 1957, oil on found cardboard box lid, cardboard and wood, 45.5 x 54.5 x 3cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Untitled, c. 1957

    Oil on found cardboard box lid, cardboard and wood

    45.5 x 54.5 x 3cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Painting, c.1958-60, oil on board, 22 x 28cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting, c.1958-60

    Oil on board

    22 x 28cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Painting on Cardboard, c. 1961-62, oil on board, 68 x 59cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting on Cardboard, c. 1961-62

    Oil on board

    68 x 59cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Painting on Cardboard, c. 1961-62, oil on board, 68 x 59cm (verso of Painting on Cardboard). The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting on Cardboard, c. 1961-62

    Oil on board

    68 x 59cm (verso of Painting on Cardboard)

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Works on steel and plastic- Metzger described the decision to paint on steel as an ‘inevitable development’, realising his desire to work with ‘something harder, more resilient’. Highlights include works which he referred to in an interview with art write
  • Study for paintings on mild steel, 1958-59, coloured chalk on paper, 43 x 53cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Study for paintings on mild steel, 1958-59

    Coloured chalk on paper

    43 x 53cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

  • Painting on Galvanised Steel, 1958, oil on steel, 105.2 x 104.2cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting on Galvanised Steel, 1958

    Oil on steel

    105.2 x 104.2cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Painting on Galvanised Steel, oil on steel, 1958, 105.2 x 104.2cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting on Galvanised Steel,1958

    Oil on steel

    105.2 x 104.2cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Painting on Galvanised Steel, 1958, oil on steel, 105.2 x 104.2cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting on Galvanised Steel, 1958

    Oil on steel

    105.2 x 104.2cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Painting on Galvanised Steel, 1958, oil and chalk on steel, 110 x 210cm. Private Collection

    Painting on Galvanised Steel, 1958

    Oil and chalk on steel

    110 x 210cm

    Private Collection

     

  • Painting on Galvanised Steel, 1958, oil on steel,110 x 210 cm. Private Collection

    Painting on Galvanised Steel, 1958

    Oil on steel

    110 x 210 cm

    Private Collection

     

  • Painting on plastic, c.1958-60, oil on plastic, 60 x 135cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting on plastic, c.1958-60

    Oil on plastic

    60 x 135cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Painting on plastic, c.1958-60, oil on plastic, 60 x 135cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting on plastic, c.1958-60

    Oil on plastic

    60 x 135cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Works on Kodak box- These paintings illustrate how, even while developing a theory of Auto-Destructive art that leaves no material behind, Metzger was still painting with traditional materials. Initially by means of painting with hydrochloric acid on shee
  • Painting on Cardboard, oil on found kodak box, c. 1961-62, 68.4 x 59.4cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting on Cardboard,  c. 1961-62

    Oil on found kodak box

    68.4 x 59.4cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

     

  • Painting on Cardboard, oil on found Kodak box, c.1961-62, 70 x 100cm. The Gustav Metzger Foundation

    Painting on Cardboard,  c.1961-62

    Oil on found Kodak box

    70 x 100cm

    The Gustav Metzger Foundation

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