1980s Large Authentic Signed Martha Chatelain Handmade Paper Sculpture Mounted on Acrylic

Description

We couldn't believe our luck when we came across this rare, authentic and signed piece by Martha Chatlelain! It is … more We couldn't believe our luck when we came across this rare, authentic and signed piece by Martha Chatlelain! It is a large cast paper sculpture mounted on acrylic with such thoughtful and intriguing design details that you can get lost for hours staring at it. Martha made her artwork with unique techniques such as achieving graduated colors from dyed pulp of different colors poured next to the white pulp, blending freely as a vacuum pump sucks out the water. She famously added texture by placing found plastic or other objects on top of the thick wet pulp before sealing the surface of the vacuum table with plastic sheeting. The action of the vacuum pump sucking the water out reverse embossed these textures on the surface of the paper. Then she would continue to paint and accent the sculptures until they were perfect. The backside of this piece is signed by the artist and under her signature she wrote "1986 - August #00396). It is mounted on a clear acrylic backing for easy hanging on any wall. Or it can be propped up against a wall and displayed on a mantle or table. It will ship with a custom acrylic cover (box) but you can remove the outer portion of the box upon receiving it...or you can leave the extra acrylic for protection...up to you!

About the artist:
Martha Chatelain was born in Pasadena, California. While still a high school student, she received a scholarship to Chouinard Art Institute where she studied from 1951-52. She graduated from UCLA with Honors in Art in 1957. For the next twenty-five years Martha focused on raising two children and supporting the meteoric careers of her husband, Don Chatelain. However, she also continued to create paintings, photographs, and sculptures, especially during the years when she studied in the graduate art programs of Cal State Los Angeles and San Diego State University. In 1982, at the age of 47, Martha began working full-time on her art, making paper from 100% cotton and abaca fibers, using both a vacuum table and a vat, and combining the resulting paper into sculptures. In 1984 she opened her own studio, Artfocus Ltd., at 9th and G Streets in San Diego's "arts corridor".

Measurements:
Sculpture only - 32" long x 19" tall x 2 1/2" deep
Entire pice including acrylic mounting - 36 1/2" x 24" less