A group of paintings by Forrest Bess, a “visionary” artist whose abstract paintings have a loyal following, will be on exhibit at Christie’s New York in a benefit sale, the auction house has announced. The 40 paintings in “A Tribute to Forrest Bess” will be on display throughout March. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The paintings come from the collection of Harry Burkhart, a neighbor of the late artist, who acquired them in exchange for sandwiches and companionship. Bess, who died in 1977, lived alone on a small island off the Gulf Coast of Texas and supported himself as a fisherman.
A self-proclaimed visionary, Bess’ perspective on life was altered after he suffered a head injury while serving in the Army. He began having strange visions, which he tried to convey through his paintings. His artworks are mainly small-scale abstractions full of quirky personal symbols.
Explaining his thought process in a quote posted on his website, Bess said, “I term myself a visionary painter for lack of a better word. Something seen otherwise than by ordinary sight. I can close my eyes in a dark room and if there is no outside noise or attraction, plus, if there is no conscious effort on my part-then I see color, lines, patterns and forms that make up my canvases. I have always copied these arrangements exactly without elaboration.”
Bess died in his hometown of Bay City, Texas, after a long struggle with alcoholism. His work was shown at the Betty Parsons Gallery in New York City alongside Jackson Pollock, Clyfford Still, Barnett Newman and Mark Rothko. Most of his artistic output of about 100 paintings is in private collections but his works have been featured in major museums including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
The Christie’s exhibit is timed to coincide with the Armory Show and the Whitney Biennial, where he will be a featured artist. It will be held March 1 – April 3, Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Rockefeller Center, 20th floor, 1230 Avenue of the Americas in New York City.