Original Painting of Abstract Circular Form [SOLD]

Tony Da (1940-2008) Anthony Edward Da was a painter before becoming a potter.  His earliest paintings appear to be from 1957, the year before he graduated from High School.  He continued painting until 1966 when he moved in to live with his grandmother, Maria Martinez.  At that time, Maria began teaching him the rudiments of pottery making and he developed into an accomplished potter in less than three years and his painting career slowed dramatically at that time.  He made pottery on a full-time basis and painted only occasionally.

This painting is dated 1979, three years before his tragic accident that ended his artistic career, so it is obvious that he did execute easel paintings even while making pottery his career choice.  The painting is subject to interpretation as there is no title and no documentation providing Tony’s explanation of what he had in mind when he painted it.

It would be obvious that the black-on-black plate in the center is a tribute to his famous grandparents.  It is conceivable that the yellow circle represents the sun and the orange circle represents the moon.  The green at the bottom of the painting could represent the earth.  In putting this all together, one can see that earth, sun and moon exert an influence on the outcome of a successful pottery effort.  Perhaps this explanation is not what the artist had in mind but we shall never know his intention so we must speculate on our own.  You may have a different interpretation.

Condition: appears to be in original condition

Recommended Reading: The Life and Art of Tony Da by Charles King, et al.

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Texas