Untitled Abstract Painting by George Bauer Dunbar, 1927-2024 (Action Series, 1950-1960)

This striking, signed mixed-media work offers a glimpse into the artistic world of George Dunbar, a Louisiana artist deeply influenced by both the international Abstract Expressionist movement and the unique landscape of his home state. Dunbar's journey began in New Orleans, leading him through service in the Navy during World War II, followed by studies at Temple University's Tyler School of Art and the Grande Chaumiere in Paris. His time in New York brought him into contact with titans like Franz Kline, Jackson Pollock, and Willem de Kooning, experiences that shaped his approach to abstraction.

Returning to Louisiana in the 1950s, Dunbar found inspiration in the culture and environment around him. His studio on Bayou Bonfouca became a sanctuary for creative exploration. This mid-20th century piece hints at the "brutal" approach to abstraction evidenced in his "rag series," where he distressed and built up layers of materials like rags and pigment to achieve a raw, visceral quality. As he himself stated, he believed that significant art sometimes requires approaching the "edge of ugly" to achieve something important. In this work, the [mention specific visual elements, relating them to his approach, e.g., "the roughly textured surface and bold application of red paint suggest a deliberate embrace of imperfection and a willingness to push the boundaries of traditional aesthetics"]. The [mention dominant colors or shapes, e.g., "dynamic interplay of reds and blues," "fragmented shapes," or "strong sense of composition"] evoke a sense of [suggest an emotion or theme, e.g., "energy and dynamism," "meditative contemplation," or "the raw beauty of the natural world"]. The presence of the artist's signature underscores the personal connection and intentionality behind the piece.

Beyond his individual artistic practice, Dunbar played a vital role in bringing modern art to Louisiana, co-founding the Orleans Gallery in the 1950s. His dedication to his craft is evident in the presence of his works in prestigious public collections, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the British Museum (London), the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (New Orleans), the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (New Orleans), the North Carolina Museum of Art, and the Masur Museum of Art (Monroe, LA). This artwork serves as a testament to Dunbar's enduring legacy and his contribution to the landscape of American art. He earned numerous accolades, including a major retrospective at the New Orleans Museum of Art in 2016 (George Dunbar: Elements of Chance) and lifetime achievement awards from the Governor of Louisiana and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

New Orleans

1950's-1960's