1967 “Leo” Zodiac Gallery Poster Wall Sculpture Signed by James Spencer Russell

Description

A 1967 wooden assemblage wall art sculpture by the American artist James Spencer Russell (1915-2000). Titled Leo, this wood assemblage … more A 1967 wooden assemblage wall art sculpture by the American artist James Spencer Russell (1915-2000). Titled Leo, this wood assemblage is made of a wooden box with the cutout words "Gallery Zodiac Walls Mots Watts And Shalt Nots July 23-Aug 22." The verso of the assemblage is signed, dated, and has a Ruth White gallery tag.

Born in Monticello, Indiana, Russell was interested in art from a young age but was directed into pursuing a military career by his family. As a young person, he attended a military academy, became a celebrated codebreaker during WWII, and even received a scholarship to attend Westpoint. However, Russell's interest in art eventually led him to abandon his military pursuits and try to make it in the art world instead. After working as an NBC set designer after WWII, he turned his attention to becoming a full-time artist. During the 1960s, he started exhibiting his works alongside artists who would later come to characterize the art scene at the time, including Robert Rauschenberg and Roy Lichenstein. He later moved back to Indiana where he continued to create art until his death in 2000. less