George F Welch Abstract Judaica Artwork Enamel Panel Painting

Description

Stunning Mid-Century modernist enamel on copper artwork by George F. Welch (1926 - 2003). Large square enameled plaque wall-mounted and … more Stunning Mid-Century modernist enamel on copper artwork by George F. Welch (1926 - 2003). Large square enameled plaque wall-mounted and framed. Abstract and Brutalist design with Hebrew fonts and numbers on the top. The plaque has an inscribed signature "Welch" toward the bottom right corner. There is also an original paper label providing the artist's statement at the back under the protection paper. Please note circular dents visible on both bottom angles seems to be intentional by the artist (please read the biography for an explanation).
Modern framing in brushed silvered metallic wood with almond green and off-white matte.
Measurements:
Frame size: 23 in. wide (58.5 cm) x 23 in. high (58.5 cm)
Plaque size: 16 in. wide (40.5 cm) x 16 in. high (40.5 cm).

About:
George F. Welch 1926-2003
Welch said he became interested in enameling after taking a jewelry-making course at University College in the 1950s. "Enamel is often used to enhance pieces of jewelry by adding color, so I decided to try it with larger pieces of metal".
A native of New Briton, Connecticut, Welch came to Syracuse after graduating from the School of the Worcester (Mass.) Art Museum, the Hartford Art School, and four years as a Marine Corps artist.
As an artist, he finds his work rewarding, "Actually doing the enamel is my greatest pleasure", he said. "The uniqueness of the process is exciting and it just can’t be found in a painting".
"The process involves using enamels colored by oxides which are applied to a metal surface. Usually, I use copper, but silver, aluminum, gold, or stainless steel can also be used", he explained.
The enamels, done by George F. Welch are abstract works on copper, framed for hanging.
Welch was a full-time artist who also paints and sculpts, considering his enamels a Fine arts medium. He worked on flat copper, firing it over and over again for desired effects, experimenting with oxides and tones.
He said he doesn’t have a fully formed IDEA when he starts, but adds colors and textures as the work progresses, building the design. When finished he gives it a title, usually on a nature theme, which allows people to relate to it. Welch’s enamel works are striking. The textures, colors, and design almost jump from the wall. Welch has a bold, direct style of handling the medium, using color with three-dimensional effects. The designs are strong, sometimes accentuated by bending the flat copper, or hammering three circular dents in it. Also, some outside material is used, such as tacks, creating a nice spatial form.
The textures and colors have an emotional substance: they reach out to the viewer. Welch used the enameling media with impressive results.
(Credit: "Ceramics, Enamels Exhibit Opens" published on March 7, 1975, in "The Utica Daily Press").

(Ambiance pictures might not have the exact actual size of the painting). less