25th Jun, 2026 10:00
John Tunnard – The Brian Whitton Collection Part Two
§ John Tunnard - Rack | oil
John Tunnard
"Rack",
oil painting on glass,
signed and dated 1947, inscribed '47 V4',
31 x 38cms, 45 x 52.5cms in frame.
Provenance:
-'Travellers Art Direct, 20th March 1947';
-Phillips, New Bond Street, 2nd March 1999, No. 40, E £1,000-£1,500, S £2-58 including commission.
Exhibitions:
-John Tunnard - His Life and Art from the 1920's to the 1970's, Grey College, Durham University, June 2011, No. 22;
-John Tunnard; Inner Space to Outer Space, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, 13 March - 6 June 2010, No. 5.
Literature:
-Alan Peat and Brian A. Whitton, John Tunnard, His Life and Work, Scolar Press, 1997, cat 550.
Information source:
Tunnard Personal record: V.4: '30 gns'.
Notes:
Following the War, Tunnard dove back into abstraction. However, he retained a sense of place with use of horizons and atmospheric perspective. His continued engagement with the world around him can be seen in “rack”. Works from this period perhaps stand most clearly in the legacy of his surrealist idols, such as Yves Tanguy. Simultaneously, Tunnard retained a strong connection with the materiality of his artist’s process; it seems that this was a means for him to stay connected with his work as it became more abstract, ‘abstract paintings that are entirely mechanical gives me a sense of loss’ he would say. His experiments with medium and support expanded in this period, at times synthesising several disparate mediums in a single work.
Parallels can be seen in this work with 'Gale Breeder' (Lot 15 in John Tunnard – The Brian Whitton Collection: Their Lives and Work Part 1). The bent abstract forms stand, pierced by mist, standing amidst scattered debris. Floating above can be seen a globus cruciger, perhaps a reference to his issues with organised religion in the post-war period.
The forms which we see are often purely imaginative. Tunnard himself stated: 'The objects you see in my paintings and which you say do not exist do in fact exist, but in a world of my own. This world of my own is just as natural to me as your world is to you, and possibly at some future date you will encounter these shapes in your everyday experiences. I am often surprised myself when I meet a shape that I have used and have never before experienced in any form.
Sold for £10,000
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Auction: John Tunnard – The Brian Whitton Collection Part Two, 25th Jun, 2026
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Following Parts One and Two of the Brian Whitton Collection - which together drew international attention and introduced new audiences to one of the most significant private collections of John Tunnard's work ever assembled - Anderson & Garland is proud to present the third and final chapter to be offered for sale 16th September 2026..
Part Three steps beyond Tunnard to reveal the full breadth of Brian's eye as a collector. Over decades of looking, acquiring, and living with art, Brian assembled a remarkable group of modern and contemporary works that reflect a sensibility both discerning and adventurous; the collection of a man who clearly understood Tunnard's restless curiosity because, in many ways, he shared it.
If you are a collector and are considering selling, don’t hesitate to get in touch and our specialists will be delighted to discuss details.
Request a free valuation through our simple online form, and our team will be in touch with straightforward, expert advice.
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