'Study in Davey's Gray' by Arthur J Colligan, Circa 1995, California Abstract Expressionist

Details

Description

Signed lower left, 'Arthur Colligan' (American, 1925-2005) and indistinctly dated. Painted circa 1995; additionally partial signature, verso, and titled, 'A … Read more Signed lower left, 'Arthur Colligan' (American, 1925-2005) and indistinctly dated. Painted circa 1995; additionally partial signature, verso, and titled, 'A Study of Davey's Grey'.

This oil painting explores the tonal subtleties of its namesake pigment—Davy's Gray—a soft, greenish-gray historically derived from powdered slate.

This multi-faceted California artist, collector, and historian was born in Los Angeles and raised in Sierra Madre. While he was a businessman and a musician, his artistic practice focused on the expressive potential of abstraction. His work often reflects the influence of the California Abstract Expressionist movement, prioritizing emotional resonance and the physical act of painting over representational forms. In his later years, he resided in Santa Cruz, where he continued to engage with the local arts community until his passing. See less