Original framed Mail Art titled "Lucky Strike Club - yellow polka dot bikini" by the artist Ray Johnson (1927-1995). From the Estate of Producer and Screenwriter Gerald Ayres.
The framed collage consists of an elongated triangular cutout that is primarily mustard yellow in colour with with regular pale tan dots throughout. Painted in ink by the artist hand is a scrolled signage that has the words LUCKY STRIKE CLUB. The board measures measures in length (tip to tip) 7 1/4" x 2 1/2" at its widest.
The collage is undated, however is part of the original Lucky Strike series and references the song that came out in 1960 "itsy bitsy yellow polka dot bikini
The condition is in very good. The collage has a experienced a bend 1 3/4" from the top tip from being in the mail and the slightest of dings/slight scuff on the three corners. All of which are indicative and to be expected of Ray Johnson's Mail Art.
This piece was mailed to Gerald Ayres, regrettably the original envelope has been misplaced/discarded. Please review the photos closely.
The frame measures 12 1/4" x 8"; the condition is in very good order with only the lightest of a rubbed scratch line measuring 4" along the lower part of the frame, the scratch did not penetrate the surface to expose the wood beneath the paint. See photographs.
Noted after taking the artwork off the wall that there is a very small speck of what appears to be trimming from the spacer/mat inside the frame; it is not floating about and believe it was a carelessness oversight when Christie's had the piece framed.
All in all the frame is quite presentable. The verso has assorted labels and a tag from Christie's dated 2017. The collage did not sell and was returned to the collection. Lastly on the "back of the frame" there is a gouge 2 1/2 down from the top on the left side, which can not be seen when the frame faces forward or from the side. Please look at the photos and contact me if you have any questions.
Exhibition history:
Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona- "Ray Johnson: Please Add to & Return" November 6, 2009 - January 10, 2010
Provenance:
This Mail Art collage is from the collection/estate of the Producer and Screenwriter Gerald Ayres who was a friend and collector of Ray Johnsons artworks/collages. Ray and Gerald became friends in New York during the late 1950's as described in Gerald Ayres book "The Apple Bites Back: a memoir the early years" and remained so throughout Ray's life.
Additionally I will be listing a number of Mail Art with envelopes that include the names of pioneering avant-garde artists, writers, poets, theater notables, musicians/composers, designers, and such of the late 1950's and early 1960's.
Simple as some of these Mail Art collages are understand that this is an uncommon opportunity to acquire a work of art that is also a piece of history from one of the most pivotal creative movements of the 20th century. Feel free to visit my other listings.