Private Collection, Los Angeles (gifted by the artist) Phillips de Pury & Company, New York, 17 December 2005, lot 158 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner
Catalogue Essay
With the opening of his landmark exhibition, Raymond: Pettibon: A Pen of All Work, in February 2017 at the New Museum, New York, Raymond Pettibon’s celebrated graphic works have been the focus of recent critical acclaim on an international platform. Cementing his profound exploration into the dynamics of text and image, Pettibon’s nuanced understanding of connotative linguistic devices and evocative imagery has resulted in his distinct aesthetic and iconic visual syntax, evident throughout his prolific oeuvre. Commencing his graphic work in the sixties, Pettibon’s aesthetic encapsulated the confrontational and disaffected spirit of youth culture, specifically that of the Californian Punk scene. Working on zines, adverts and designing infamous album covers and posters for the band Black Flag, Pettibon’s witty, satirical and brash style courses with vital energy, incorporating a myriad cultural references. The present works are exemplary of Pettibon’s complex collaging of cultural narratives and associations, offering a biting critical reading of American history and culture.