Jan Stussy “Parachute Jump Series No. 12”, Expressionist Acrylic Painting, 1980s

An early 1980s large expressionist acrylic painting on masonite titled “Parachute Jump Series No. 12” by notable and important California artist, Academy Award-winning film producer, and UCLA professor Jan Stussy (b. 1921–1990).

Loosely rendered falling figure in cerulean and peach tones with limbs balletically extended and diaphanous deflated parachute trailing above set against a matte grey gradient background. An elegantly spare work with vaguely portentous undertones that strikingly conveys the artist’s distinctive dreamlike aesthetic. Unsigned.

On masonite panel in wood frame. Verso with label listing title, series number, medium, artist, and previous gallery price. “13” written on frame and a piece of painter’s tape, and “0671” written on panel. It’s possible that the number written on the frame and painter’s tape and not the one printed on the label is the actual series number—we’ve made inquiries requesting clarification, and will update the listing if and when we receive a reply.

From a collection of the artist’s work that was previously on display at the Mendocino Art Center in Mendocino, California, with this particular piece being featured on the cover of their summer 2012 issue of “Mendocino Arts: Art and Culture in Mendocino County”.

One of two works from the “Parachute Jump Series” that we currently have available, with the other—“No. 14”—offered in a separate listing.

A prolific painter and printmaker, Jan Stussy was a professor emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he taught visual arts from 1942 until 1989, as well as at the UCLA Extension, where he taught from 1957 to 1980. In 1977, Stussy co-produced the documentary “Gravity is My Enemy”, for which he received an Academy Award in 1978 at the 50th Academy Awards in the Best Documentary Short Film category.

Stussy’s work is found in numerous prestigious public museum collections, including MoMA, the National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Oakland Museum of California, Norton Simon Museum, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, and Hammer Museum.

Dimensions overall;
Height: 40.75 in Width: 30.5 in Depth: 1.75 in
Sight is H 39.5 in. x W 29.25 in.

Condition: Good Wear consistent with age and use. In good vintage condition. Some superficial, mostly faint marks and “scratch”-like scuffs that dark colored paint with a matte finish is easily prone to getting. A couple chalk-like white lines and dots on right side. Paint on frame at top right.