Wyatt Kahn

Hannah Barry Gallery, London
Acquired by the present owner from the above

New York, Bortolami Gallery, A Chromatic Loss, January - February 2014

This work is in very good condition overall. There is evidence of light wear and handling to the sides and turning edges of the canvas panels. There is a very minor abrasion at the bottom left corner. Unframed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Wyatt Kahn’s Walker is a rivetingly rebellious fusion of monochromatic, minimalist painting and provocative, abstract sculpture. It is only when the three-dimensional forms of the multiple raw canvases are bolted together that they visually flatten out and become the individual compounding features of a two-dimensional plane. Similar to Frank Stella’s intentions of constructing irregularly shaped canvases in an effort to force the illusionistic space out of a painting and create a flat painted object, Kahn follows in this minimalist tradition while making innovative strides towards disrupting the stasis of the picture plane.

Kahn's work creates a powerful interplay between structure, surface and composition through his experimentation with negative space and adjoining geometric panels. In Walker, the resulting kaleidoscopic composition, retains a distinctly anthropomorphic quality; complete with a compelling central void and a network of abstract lines that demarcate the borders between canvases, the result is a juxtaposing force of dynamic movement and elegant stillness. The ultimate effect created is a beautiful tension of fragility and dynamism whose sophisticated formal chemistry interacts with each viewer in a unique way.