Lot 50: Gusanos y caracoles4 3/4 x 9 5/8 in (11.9 x 23.9 cm)

Gusanos y caracoles numbered and dated '21/'64' (on the reverse) oil on board 4 3/4 x 9 5/8 in (11.9 x 23.9 cm) Painted in 1964

11.9 x 23.9 cm

Mexico City, Galeria de Antonio Souza, 1965.

Bobby Short, New York.

The present work is an early work in Bridget Bate Tichenor's Las Criaturas de Gusanos y Caracoles series, loosely inspired by the science fiction writer Frank Herbert (Dune was released in Mexico in 1965). The vision of an idyllic world set in the distant future was derived from the artist's close reading of Meister Eckhart, Gurdjieff and Ouspensky, while the landscapes themselves were inspired by her ranch at Contembo in Ario de Rosales, Michoacan, Mexico. Bridget Bate Tichenor studied at the Slade School of Art in London and the Arts Students League of New York, was photographed by Man Ray, shared an apartment with Peggy Guggenheim and was pursued by Anaïs Nin. She first visited Mexico in 1947 at the invitation of her cousin Edward James, the noted collector of Surrealism, moving there permanently in 1953. Her painting was increasingly influenced by Pre-Columbian themes, and by her friendships with Magic Realist painters such as Leonora Carrington, with whom she exhibited from 1958. We are grateful to Zachary Selig for his help in cataloging this painting. This work was formerly in the collection of Bobby Short (1924-2005), the celebrated pianist and cabaret singer who for more than 35 years from 1968 was featured artist at the Cafe Carlyle, New York City.