Named on Completion
A large-scale, vibrantly colored canvas by the artist Russo, featuring a surrealist composition of a white elephant-like figure playing an ornately decorated guitar, set against a bold red background with birds, flowers, and a butterfly. The work is executed in a bold graphic style with heavy black outlines and vivid fills of red, green, blue, and yellow, reflecting influences of street art, folk art, and psychedelic imagery. Acquired at the AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) Art Project Los Angeles charity benefit auction on June 30, 2012, catalogued as lot 301 under the working title 'Named On Completion,' with a pre-sale estimate of $15,000. The work was purchased by collector Jonathan B. Murray for $2,600, alongside pieces by Keith Haring and Helen Frankenthaler, underscoring the cultural and philanthropic significance of its provenance.
- Medium
- Acrylic and marker on canvas
- Signed
- Yes
Notes
Auction lot number 301. Title listed as 'Named On Completion' — final title to be determined upon work's completion. Pre-sale estimated value: $15,000. Purchase price at auction: $2,600. Sales tax rate: 8.75% applied to items 1, 12, 15, 129, and 301. Tax on this lot included in overall tax of $2,122.75. Total invoice including all lots and surcharges: $26,382.75 (subtotal $24,260.00). Payment charged 7/1/2012 to Master Card #*****1762, Exp. 10/13, name: JONATHAN B MURRAY. Marked PAID 7/10/12 with handwritten stamp. APLA is an IRC Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization; portion of contribution may be tax-deductible. Other lots purchased at same auction: Lot 1 'Waves and Circles' by Alexander ($3,700); Lot 12 'Story of Red and Blue' by Keith Haring ($4,800); Lot 15 'Contentment' by Helen Frankenthaler ($12,600); Lot 129 'Untitled' by Mark Chamberlain ($560). Buyer paddle number: 165.
Collectors with works by Russo
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