FOLDES, PETER (1924-1977)

“Joan, Australia” (1954)
Watercolour
45 x 60cm
Signed upper left
*private collection, Sydney
 
An important British-Hungarian painter and filmmaker, Foldes was best known for his groundbreaking, animated short films and collaborations with his wife, Joan, which earned him an Academy Award nomination and two Cannes Film Festival Awards. In fact, this portrait was painted on a trip in Australia in 1954, and it was on a ship back to the UK that he and his wife wrote the apocalyptic 'A Short Vision' , generally regarded as one of the most influential animated short films ever made. It was shown on the Ed Sullivan Show twice by popular demand. He was also a pioneer in computer animation techniques. His abstract art was an important contribution to mid-century British painting, with his works and retrospectives have been held in institutions such as MOMA NYC, Tate Modern and the Art Gallery Of NSW. A sentimental, rare piece by a significant British artist, who died prematurely.