Arc D

Location

Country: Panama
City: Panama City
Place: British Embassy

This print is one from the series titled Triangles produced in 1971 by Gordon House. Each composition consists of a vertical rectangle divided into two squares, with the lower square divided into two rectangles of varying colours. The top square of each print shows different arrangements of three triangles or a semi-circular form. The artist used these bold, geometric structures to create tension within the overall picture frame. His use of contrasting colours for instance, between warm red and orange or cool green and blue, distinguishes each work, while highlighting the multitude of variations within the complete series.

House was one of a new generation of British artist-designers who came to prominence in the 1960s. Independently minded, they adventurously expanded the possibilities of blurring the boundaries between art and design. House worked alongside artists such as Anthony Caro and Robyn Denny who combined colourful geometric lines and shapes, reflecting the energy of Pop Art in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Through his graphic paintings and prints, House produced works with a coherent aesthetic that could be utilised in all aspects of an art exhibition. He recognised that exhibitions did not only include ‘works of art’ but also the related designs of posters, invitation cards and catalogues. 

Gordon House was born in Pontardawe, South Wales. His family moved to Letchworth, Hertfordshire when he was a child. After leaving school at 14, he attended Luton School of Art before moving, with the aid of a scholarship, to St Albans School of Art, where he studied from 1950 to 1952. After graduating, House worked as a designer in the Plastics Division of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) (1952-59). He later focused on graphic design, with some of his most well-known designs including the album covers of 'The White Album' by The Beatles, and 'Wild Life', the first album released by Paul McCartney’s band, Wings. Alongside his commercial practice, House exhibited his own works of art and participated in key group exhibitions including: 'Situation' at the RBA Galleries, London, in 1960; 'Play Orbit' at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, in 1961; the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, London, annually from 1962 until his death; 'Young English Painters' at the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, in 1967; 'British Group Show' at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Madrid, 1975; a touring show at the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, and Brooklyn Museum, New York, during 1981 and 1982; and 'The Sixties Art Scene in London' at the Barbican, London, in 1993. His work is represented in numerous UK public collections including the Arts Council of Great Britain, Tate and the Victoria and Albert Museum; and in international collections including MOMA and Brooklyn Museum in New York.

Places

Subjects

arc, rectangle, abstract

Materials & Techniques

screenprint

Artist

Gordon House (1932 - 2004)

Title

Arc D

Edition

18/75

Date

1971

Medium

Screenprint

Acquisition

Purchased from Waddington Galleries, February 1977

Inscription

below image: arc D [inside circle] / 18/75 / Gordon House '71

GAC number

12951