1950's John Perkins Oil on Board Abstract Cubist

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1950's Oil on Board Abstract Cubist by Artist John Perkins

A dramatic abstract piece with a bold, commanding energy. Very … Read more 1950's Oil on Board Abstract Cubist by Artist John Perkins

A dramatic abstract piece with a bold, commanding energy. Very open to interpretation and could work in any orientation. Not signed or dated, but came from a grouping of other abstract cubist works from the 1950's.

Some minor edge wear and a small amount of moisture damage to the back side, overall very good vintage condition.

24" h x 30" w

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About the artist:
John W. Perkins (exact date of birth/death unknown)- had extensive experience as a librarian/library professional. He held both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in library sciences and served as librarian with the U.S. Air Force during WWII. He later went on to serve as the director of the American library in Naples, Italy, in conjunction with the Department of State, and then spent five years on the library staff at UC Berkeley. In 1955, he took over as head librarian at the Redondo Beach Library, where many of his artworks were displayed for sale. The library flourished under his leadership and became the first non-university public library in California to have a divided card catalog listing books by both subject and author.

In 1962, he became the head librarian of the Inglewood Public Library, where he remained for approximately 30 years until his retirement in the early 1990’s. He was also a prolific writer, having written and commissioned many books on library service and administration. He dedicated much of his career to helping libraries grow and thrive. Specifically during his tenure at the Inglewood Library, Perkins is known for having developed an incredible collection of unique and forward-thinking works, both books and artwork, that were not often seen in circulation anywhere else.

Perkins worked in a variety of mediums, including oil, acrylic, and charcoal, and in his early years, painted in a more traditional post-impressionist style. He later focused on abstract cubist techniques for which he is best known. His paintings are reminiscent in both the style and palette of French artist, Jacques Villon, as well as the landscape work of American artist, Stuart Davis. Although his primary body of work was done in an abstract cubist style, he also experimented with metaphysical surrealism, akin to that of Italian artist, Giorgio de Chirico. See less