I came across Harold Town’s drawings in high school. I got caught up by his “Enigmas”, admiring them because they were so much freer than what I do. I later enjoyed his more abstract works while I was studying printmaking – he was a Canadian pioneer of that genre, a founding member of Painters Eleven, and a really neato guy.
For one reason or another, he’s owned a piece of acreage in my head for very long time. As someone who draws, I love any variation of work with a pen or pencil. I envy artists whose nature allows them to bust out in expressionism, and the designer in me is comforted by the restraint of good design. He was all those things.
I was lucky to come into possession of this work probably 15+ years ago. It had been in a broken frame and glass when I got it – the silk screened surface miraculously undamaged. I took it apart intending to frame it asap; but, as it usually does, life got in the way. “Horatio Statement” somehow survived three moves, a few years of storage where many other things suffered rodent damage, and narrowly escaped drowning here in the great dishwasher flood of 2024. It’s big for my tiny home – I was going to give up and sell it or give it away before I wrecked it. However, I finally decided GODDAMMIT, we’ve made it this far, we’ll stick this one out together (that was perilously close to one of Stuart Smalley’s affirmations, sorry).
After close to 40 years of professional picture framing, I can safely say I’m knowledgable, AND picky. There aren’t very many (any) people I trust my work to… I’m smart enought to let another expert do their job. Plus, I don’t have the space to frame any more 🙂 and it’s cool letting someone else do the work.
Harold Town, Horatio Statement 21/200, 1970
I love this work; it’s currently hanging where I can enjoy it while I sit on the steps with my coffee in the morning. Until I change my mind and hang it elsewhere…either way, we’ll live happily ever after.
Thank you thank you thank you to Andrea Sutton of Ottawa Framing and Display – you’re the best.
