Graham Harmon Black and White Abstract Painting

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**Graham Harmon: c. 1960 Black and White Abstract Mixed Media Painting on Artist Masonite**

This remarkable piece is elegantly presented … Read more **Graham Harmon: c. 1960 Black and White Abstract Mixed Media Painting on Artist Masonite**

This remarkable piece is elegantly presented in an antique frame, which, despite showing areas of damage and finish loss, adds character to the artwork.

**Artist Biography: Graham Harmon (1928-1999)**

Graham Harmon, born in New York, faced profound adversity when he lost his mother at the age of 16. This tragedy forced him to relocate to rural Texas to live with his Aunt Laura, as his father struggled with alcoholism and was unable to provide care.

Harmon's own battle with alcoholism ultimately claimed his life in 1999, yet he left behind an extraordinary legacy comprised of over 5,000 sketches, drawings, and abstract paintings. For 35 years, from 1947 to 1982, he relentlessly pursued artistic mastery, exploring recurrent themes such as still life, abstract forms, color fields, landscapes, and seascapes. To support himself, Harmon took on various jobs in Texas, working as a day laborer in the oil fields, a crewman with a geological survey team, and a sign painter. However, it was at night, under the cover of darkness, where his true passion for painting flourished.

During his most prolific and impactful period from 1958 to 1972, Harmon drew inspiration from titans of the art world, including Franz Kline, Hans Hofmann, Mark Rothko, and Robert Motherwell. His work pulsates with a dynamic intensity, capturing the frenetic spirit of a man acutely aware of the passage of time—one who feels the relentless urgency of his own fate.

A recurring motif in many of his paintings is the depiction of rising or setting suns, which embody a serene contrast to the surrounding chaos. These vivid images symbolize hope and resilience. While we may never fully grasp their personal significance to Harmon, we have preserved his legacy and continue to find beauty in the duality of his work—much like the captivating wonder of the sunrise or sunset. See less