Barry Berkus 2006 "Maelstrom" Original One of a Kind Watercolor & Pencil Painting Framed and Ready to Display

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2006 Original One of a Kind Painting

Barry Berkus
"Maelstrom"
Watercolor & Pencil Painting

Framed and ready to display

frame … Read more 2006 Original One of a Kind Painting

Barry Berkus
"Maelstrom"
Watercolor & Pencil Painting

Framed and ready to display

frame size is approximately 44" Wide x 36" High
image size approximately 39 1/2" Wide x 31 1/2" High

Please Read ! The condition of this work is excellent while the only condition issues are with modest signs of handling and wear on the frame - Living in a Barry Berkus home is a breath of fresh air as he designed homes to flow, and make time spent there tranquil and soothing ~ On the other hand those works of art he created crossed many lines as is the case of this Masterwork "Maelstrom," which brings powerful energy to any room where it rests and to those with the good fortune to view it ~ it is not possible to convey the haunting beauty of this masterful original work by Berkus ~ I hope you can provide this wonderful original piece of art a loving new home ~ please see photos for condition details ~ tracking number included with all shipments ~ All items are from a smoke free environment. We ship orders every day, and same day when possible. Your complete satisfaction is our goal!

About the Artist and Architect:

The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art shared the deep trove of art collected by Barry Berkus, an architect, urban planner, watercolor artist and author, in “A Bold and Unconventional Collector: Highlights from the Barry Berkus Family Collection.” This collection was on display from November 17, 2002 to December 12, 2022.

Berkus was born in Los Angeles in 1935, and he grew up in Pasadena before pursuing his undergraduate education at UC Santa Barbara. There he studied architecture, and earned his Master's Degree from the School of Architecture at USC. He then returned to Santa Barbara in the 1970s to open his architectural practice. During his career he established two highly influential design firms: B3 Architects and Berkus Design Studio. These architectural firms were comprised of more than 200 architects with offices in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Washington, Atlanta, Miami, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur.

Berkus loved both creating and collecting art — especially the art of his generation. He was quick to attend museum and gallery openings, always open to learning and meeting with artists and purchasing the works that caught his eye. He was an intrepid collector, attracted to the most avant-garde works in an artist’s oeuvre. According to his son Jeff Berkus, his father “favored art that was experimental — art that explored unusual ideas, and he was also a bold and unconventional art collector.”

Barry Berkus, who passed away in 2017, collected art by David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Frank Stella, and Andy Warhol. But he also loved finding new talent — international artists who might not be big names yet in the United States. Berkus also supported Santa Barbara artists purchasing works by artists like Tony Askew, Marie Schoeff, Dane Goodman, Wayne McCall, Keith Puccinelli, Mary Heebner, Marge Dunlap and others.

“The Berkus Family had the daunting task of dealing with Barry’s huge art collection after his death,” says Judy L. Larson, Askew professor of art history and museum director. “What I love about the gifts the family made to Westmont is the variety and quality of talented artists from all over the world. As an architect, Berkus’ eye gravitated to works rooted in architecture like Iwan Baan, Stephen Talisnek, Michael Kenna, and Benjamin Edwards.” Larson was most impressed with a stunning, large canvas by British painter John Walker, an abstract expressionist work by Michael David, and a photograph of a land art piece by Andy Goldsworthy who visited Santa Barbara on the invitation of Berkus.

“What I respect about Berkus is that he trusted his own eye,” says Chris Rupp, curator and collections manager. “As an architect he had modernist sensibilities and that carried over into his collecting. He wasn’t someone to follow collecting trends, but sought out innovative artists who personally appealed to him. His enthusiasm for contemporary art was contagious,” says Tony Askew, who has a piece in the Berkus collection. “It was always a pleasure to talk with Barry about what was happening in the art world. He seemed to sparkle with excitement about a new artist he had met or a work he had just purchased.”

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