Alan Howland (Lot 10)
Sponsor: Winsor & Newton + Leo & Agnes • Artist: Lyora Pissarro
About the lion Lyora's lion is part of a series of work exploring her own perception of the natural world. This series is a profound investigation into a modern, yet spiritual representation of landscapes, in which Lyora explores the endless possibilities of the point in which land meets water and sky. Through the examination of the five elements of nature; earth, water, fire, air and light, Lyora Pissarro is researching how different spaces can be invented through varying shades of color and forms. Lyora is deeply fascinated by metaphysics and is dedicated to understanding the invisible and spiritual world, that transcend physical and material spaces. The paintings in this series are therefore visual representation of these ideas, accumulated and reflected as; 'The Utopia of the Mind.' The landscapes hope to present an escape through psychological paths to enlightenment, presenting the environment of the mind as a sacred space, where the outside natural world, meets the invisible environment of consciousness.
About the sponsor Winsor & Newton are delighted to sponsor our lions because of the natural connection with the Pissarro family as 5 consecutive generations have used our products in their art. The exceptionally talented Queen Victoria was an amateur artist whose preferred supplier of materials was always Winsor & Newton. She awarded Winsor & Newton the Royal Warrant in 1841 – something we still hold to this day. Our most celebrated brush range, Series 7, owes its very existence to Queen Victoria’s request that Winsor & Newton make a set of exquisite water colour brushes in her favourite size. The original brushes were made of ivory, silver and the finest sable. Lyora's lion is co-sponsored by Leo & Agnus in New York, whose mission is to improve society's relationship with the animal kingdom and the natural world. We accomplish this by starting or supporting projects that encourage people to re-imagine the role of animals and nature in our world. We are thrilled to be supporting the Lions of Windsor project and the various charities such as Tusk that share Leo + Agnus’ mission of creating a peaceful co-existence between people and wildlife. We are also excited to support artist Lyora Pissarro and provide an opportunity for her to paint on a new kind of canvas and share her incredible artistic gifts with the people of London. Roar!
About the artist Born into a family of artists, curators, art dealers, professors and critics, Lyora Pissarro has been immersed in the art world from a very young age. She sold her first painting at 6 years old and has been a determined artist ever since. Lyora attended Rhode Island School of Design and Hunter College, obtaining her degree in Fine Art. Shown in galleries in London, New York, and throughout the world, her work has been hailed as unique and insightful. Ripe with the creative drive that has spanned generations of her family, Lyora Pissarro first exhibited her work in 2014 at the Russel Collection and Fine Art Gallery (Texas) as part of an unprecedented exhibition entitled Five generations of Pissarro. Since then her work has been on show at the Christopher Clark Gallery (San Francisco), Stern Pissarro Gallery (London), Bertha and Karl Leubsdorf Art Gallery (New York City) and Galerie d’Orsay (Boston). Lyora is preparing a new body of work that will be shown for the first time London in 2019 for her first solo exhibition in her home town. Lyora said: "I’ve enjoyed this project so much and working with my mother has been such fun. I truly support the importance of the Lions of Windsor project, making art accessible and spreading colour and joy to the streets of England has been an amazing honor. The challenge from moving from 2-dimensional paintings and the flat canvas to a 3-dimensional object, has been incredibly interesting and mind-expanding. Thank you for all the team behind the scenes, all the sponsors and artists that work to make this possible.
Where? In the front garden of the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel in Thames Street by Windsor Bridge, displayed with her mother Lélia Pissarro's lion. Viewing hours 0800-2200.