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Gerda Sless (1925-2021)-Original Collage/Painting - $90 (Markham)
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This original work of art is by a talented Toronto artist: Gerda Sless (1925 - 2021). This unique composition is of a landscape constructed by the artist using her own developed technique of: Watercolor Monotype/Collage process. Here is how she described it to me: “The composition of each piece was painted with watercolor onto a plate of Perspex and left to dry. A print was produced by applying a wet sheet of watercolor paper onto the plate and run through a press. After the print was done, bearing in mind that it comes out the opposite way, I felt that it needed more work. Since I could not rewet the paper (the colors would run) I decided to collage (glue) where I felt it needed it”.
The collage is composed of seven print pieces, torn by hand to form desired contours, and glued together to form a landscape of hills and vegetation. A truly unique and wonderful piece. I do have another work by her for sale.
Details:
Title: untitled
Medium: Monotype print Collage
Size: 11”x8” (image); 18”x15” (framed)
Date: mid 1990’s
Signature: Signed lower right
Condition: Mint
Framing: Wooden molding c/w matt and glass
Provenance: Purchased directly from the artist in the mid 1990’s
Asking Price: $90.00
About the Artist: Gerda Sless was born in Vienna, Austria in 1925. Before WWII her family moved to Belgium and settled in Brussels. Gerda did her schooling in Belgium and Scotland. Gerda and her brother shared a great bond and as siblings they had a positive relationship. One morning everything took a turn though – the war intruded upon their idyllic lives. Gerda managed to escape the grip of the Nazis; she went into hiding in a convent, while her brother was taken to Auschwitz.
She attended Art School in Brussels followed by further studies in Glasgow. After immigrating to Canada and settling in Toronto she continued her studies with many distinguished professionals from the Ontario College of Arts, the Toronto School of Arts, Central Tech., and has participated in numerous workshops. Over the years, Gerda Sless has worked in various media, including character portraiture, impressionistic and abstract imagery. More recently she has focused primarily on works on paper: Monoprints, colographs, serigraphs as well as lithography. She uses oils, acrylics, printing inks and collages. Her work is featured in both corporate and private collections throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. She has exhibited in many juried art shows. Her most recent Open Juried Exhibition was held in 2016 at the Etobicoke Civic Centre. She is a member of the Color and Form Society since 1986, President 1993 until 1997. She is also a member of various other Art Societies. Gerda explains: "Monoprinting offers me the ability to explore the possibilities of complex texturing and color combination that is possible to a greater extent then by more controlled direct techniques. I start with an idea. As the work slowly unfolds, some obstacles might present themselves. I try to reach for balance and harmony, but let intuition guide me." Gerda passes away at the Sunnybrook hospital Toronto on March 16th, 2021.
Before her death she wrote her own obituary “to avoid any inaccuracies”:
“It’s December 2020. I am in my 96th year and I am writing this while I still have all my marbles. I do not know how much time I have left, but I do know that I cannot die young anymore. After surviving a childhood filled with unpredictability and struggle, came those awful war years. But since the age of 20, my life has been fantastic – with the exception of losing my incredible youngest son Brian and my beautiful only daughter, Maureen. A piece of me went with each of them, but they live forever in my heart. ……..I have been blessed by the miracle of finding my soul mate, Paul, the kindest, sweetest man. We have had the privilege of this late-in-life relationship, which has enriched and surprised us both with so much love, companionship and laughter! My dear children, grandchildren and extended family and friends… I love you all deeply. I have been given a great, long, love-filled life and I am blessed to have been showered with love and enduring loyalty from so many. To all of you who are here or who have been part of this incredible life of mine, I say thank you! It’s not good-bye, as we will all be united one day. It is now March 10, 2021. Every voyage comes to an end…where this one takes me. I am about to find out. Thank you for wishing me Bon Voyage.”
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