Although Ray Mead (1921-1988) was British, having studied at the famed Slade School of Art, and later serving in the Royal Air Force during the war, his career as an artist was established and blossomed in Canada. 

Mead immigrated to Canada and settled in Hamilton in 1946. He had important relationships with Walter Yarwood and Hortense Gordon. The later shared many of her lessons that she had absorbed from studying with Hans Hoffmann. In the early 1950's Mead made several trips to New York City being influenced by the nascent dominance of Abstract Expressionism. As a result Mead's work is a fine synthesis of both European Modernism and mid-century American abstraction. Mead, deservingly would be part of the first group of members of Painters Eleven. Yet along with Jack Bush, his work is the most graphic and structured. 

This is a paradigm of Mead's work from the 1950's; his palette is controlled and he favors a Modernist geometry as opposed to a gestural spontaneity. 

This work on paper is a fine, rare and intimate example of Ray Mead's work. 

Interested in Painters Eleven? Check out works by its other key members: , , , and

Provenance: The Collection of

Questions about this artwork?  or call 1.416.704.1720

Watercolor and mixed media on paper 

Canada, circa 1955

Signed by the artist

11"H 9"W (work, visible)

Very good condition