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Home / Art & Antiques / 2015 October 28 Modern & Contemporary Art Part I : New York Signature Auction - New York Auction #5262 / Lot #69029
    LOT #69029  | 
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    Walton Ford (b. 1960). Guilty Elephant, 1994. Oil on panel. 63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm). Signed, titled, and dated...

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    • Paintings, Walton Ford (b. 1960). Guilty Elephant, 1994. Oil on panel. 63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm). Signed, titled, and dated...
    • Paintings, Walton Ford (b. 1960). Guilty Elephant, 1994. Oil on panel. 63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm). Signed, titled, and dated...
    • Paintings, Walton Ford (b. 1960). Guilty Elephant, 1994. Oil on panel. 63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm). Signed, titled, and dated...
    • Paintings, Walton Ford (b. 1960). Guilty Elephant, 1994. Oil on panel. 63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm). Signed, titled, and dated...
    Paintings, Walton Ford (b. 1960). Guilty Elephant, 1994. Oil on panel. 63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm). Signed, titled, and dated... Paintings, Walton Ford (b. 1960). Guilty Elephant, 1994. Oil on panel. 63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm). Signed, titled, and dated... Paintings, Walton Ford (b. 1960). Guilty Elephant, 1994. Oil on panel. 63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm). Signed, titled, and dated... Paintings, Walton Ford (b. 1960). Guilty Elephant, 1994. Oil on panel. 63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm). Signed, titled, and dated... View More >
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    Description

    Walton Ford (b. 1960)
    Guilty Elephant, 1994
    Oil on panel
    63 x 46 inches (160.0 x 116.8 cm)
    Signed, titled, and dated on the reverse: Walton Ford, Guilty Elephant, 1994

    PROVENANCE:
    Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York;
    Acquired by the present owner from the above.

    Walton Ford celebrates traditional history painting while simultaneously satirizing the oppressive colonial narratives that these same paintings engender. Inspired by dozens of trips to the Natural History Museum in New York, Walton Ford uses the visual language of John James Audubon to critique humanity's impact on the natural world. In Guilty Elephant, 1994 twisting vines and meticulously-rendered foliage frame the composition. Through the foliate border, the viewer sees an elephant with smoke billowing from its back, filling the composition with dark soot in an eerie dreamlike haze. The presence of dark figures surrounding the elephant disrupts any notion of the sublime. The viewer becomes a guilty participant in an unsettling scene that stands in dark contrast to the natural order of things. As Ford describes, "What I'm doing...is building a sort of cultural history of the way animals live in the human imagination." (W. Ford quoted in C. Tomkins "Man as Beast," The New Yorker, New York, January 26, 2009).

    More information about Ford, Walton.

    Condition Report*: Framed Dimensions 64.5 X 47.5 Inches
    *Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.

    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    October, 2015
    28th Wednesday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 3,728

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    Sold on Oct 28, 2015 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
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