1960s ABSTRACT PAINTING SIGNED GORDON

Hi - I have this wonderful painting which is simply signed GORDON '62 - I am guessing Gordon is a surname and I think this art is of a high quality so would expect it to be a known artist but cannot seem to trace who this is - can anyone help please?

I would have bought that without even thinking I might found out who Gordon was. What part of the country did you find it? I ask because there are a number of people with that surname that were known artists, although not very famous.

It's a long shot, but the name Gordon caught my eye.  I'm no expert on artists (just a forner student with a memory for faces and names!), but used to know one painter of that name, and so far can't rule him out.  An art school friend of mine happened to marry an Australian painter called Jeremy Gordon in the late 60s. He'd moved to London in the early 60s to continue his art education, and was there until about 1969, when they moved to Australia.  Last I heard he was still alive and painting, and he appears in some exhibition lists there, though it's hard to get a handle on who's successful (the workings of the art market there appear to differ from Europe and the US). Googling the name plus painter and Australia brings up a page about him, but with only a few recent paintings shown (part of a gallery's website I think).  Your painting's in a very different style, but artists can go through a lot of phases in 50 years or so!

Whoever painted it,, I'd have snapped it up like a shot if I'd spotted it (and I could afford it)!  It struck me immediately as a good painting, and a fine example of the aesthetic of those times (and especially of what some people could do with simple shapes and a limited palette).  I think it was done at some speed, which is often a sign of long experience, but can equally be prompted by time constraints at college. And there's a lot of student work out there. I don't know if it's still the case, but people in those days didn't keep their work for long; with the fast development art school enables.  Most of it got hurled at the bin, given away, or sometimes even sold. (Even without moving house, let alone to Australia!).

Have you tried an image match search on the signature?  Or, failing that, the whole thing? The latter takes more time and patience (depending on what aspect of it gets picked up!).

Hi guys, new to the forum.
I also have a painting very similar style to the one shown here and also signed "Gordon 62". I would love to know anything about the artist.
As a newbie can't seem to post a picture. But if you have any information please either post or send my a PM. Many thanks.

I don't know any more than I did before, I'm afraid. I've been meaning to ask the abovementioned Maureen about the first painting, as we're still in touch. I'm very busy here for the next week or two, but will try after that. She might be able to put me in touch with her Gordon to ask directly (I don't know - think they live separately now).

If it does turn out possible to check the first painting that way, I could easily add yours. I can't remember the method of posting images offhand, but there are instructions here somewhere - via the forum list perhaps. I have a note of them somewhere, but finding them is pot luck at the moment.

I've just remembered something about not being able to post photos immediately after registering - if that's so, it'll be explained somewhere here too.

Netherthorpe wrote:I don't know any more than I did before, I'm afraid.  I've been meaning to ask the abovementioned Maureen about the first painting, as we're still in touch.  I'm very busy here for the next week or two, but will try after that.  She might be able to put me in touch with her Gordon to ask directly (I don't know - think they live separately now).

If it does turn out possible to check the first painting that way, I could  easily add yours.  I can't remember the method of posting images offhand, but there are instructions here somewhere - via the forum list perhaps.  I have a note of them somewhere, but finding them is pot luck at the moment.

I've just remembered something about not being able to post photos immediately after registering - if that's so, it'll be explained somewhere here too.

Thank you very much Netherthorpe, that's very kind of you. I did look up Jeremy Gordon, as you say his style is very different and he signs his work as Jeremy but then in 50 years a lot can change styles, signatures. I am grateful to you for taking time to look into it. Much appreciated. And I will look into how to add photographs to the page.

Thank you once again Netherthorpe.  Here are photos of the art work. Hopefully someone might recognise something.
I had the take the photo at an angle because of horrible glare.

Are you sure it's the same Gordon? Although the initial 'G' is similar, the bottom picture is signed in all-caps, the top one has only the 'G' capitalised. Also, the numbers for the date are formed differently.

Grumpy Grandad wrote:Are you sure it's the same Gordon? Although the initial 'G' is similar, the bottom picture is signed in all-caps, the top one has only the 'G' capitalised. Also, the numbers for the date are formed differently.

I am not 100% sure no, but the 'G' of Gordon looks very similar and the style of the two pieces is the same to me.

surely the same two gordons with that style signatures often vary

studio-pots wrote:I would have bought that without even thinking I might found out who Gordon was. What part of the country did you find it? I ask because there are a number of people with that surname that were known artists, although not very famous.

I asked this question 6 months ago and never received a reply. Can either or both of the people that own these paintings give me an answer?

studio-pots wrote:

studio-pots wrote:I would have bought that without even thinking I might found out who Gordon was. What part of the country did you find it? I ask because there are a number of people with that surname that were known artists, although not very famous.

I asked this question 6 months ago and never received a reply. Can either or both of the people that own these paintings give me an answer?

Hi there Studio-Pots, my piece was bought I'm guessing in the 80s or 90s in London. I'm guessing because I inherited this piece so I don't know exactly when.

Thanks artcollector.

Although there are numerous artists in The Dictionary of Artist in Britain since 1945 with the name Gordon, none fit the style or timeline nor worked in London or the south of England at the time of these two paintings.

Therefore the Jeremy Gordon mentioned above seems the best bet. I have looked at his website and the paintings there might well have a connection. It's a slim chance but nevertheless if it was mine I would email info@alienpants.com to see if Jeremy is still alive. Artists are generally accommodating, unless they are famous!!

Thank you studio-pots, for looking into this and for your kind advice.
I will drop Jeremy Gordon an email and see what he has to say if anything.

Hi Studio Pots and apologies for not replying earlier - I am based in Berkshire and came across this painting a while ago in my local area but have no idea of its history.

Having looked at the previous posts I do think in terms of the style that the two paintings are by the same artist.

they are gorgeous