Catalogue Raisonné. Chevelere Assigne
The Major Periods
1962 – 1965: Early Pop Paintings
As one of the original wave of Pop artists Gerald Laing produced some of the most significant works of the British Pop movement. His paintings reproduced images of popular heroes such as starlets, film stars, drag racers, astronauts and skydivers. His 1962 portrait of Brigitte Bardot is an iconic work of the period and regularly features in major Pop retrospectives alongside Lincoln Convertible from 1964, a commemoration of the assassination of JFK.
1965 – 1970: Utopian Abstract Sculpture
From 1965 Gerald Laing's painting evolved into abstract sculptures using the techniques and materials of car customisation - lacquering, spray-painting and chrome-plating on metal.
View all Utopian Abstract Sculpture
1970 – 1973: Sculpture In The Landscape
A move from New York to the Highlands of Scotland in 1970 saw Gerald Laing's sculpture respond to the beauty, roughness and power of the surrounding landscape.
View all Sculpture In The Landscape
1972 – 2010: Public Sculpture
Public sculptures include the the Bank Station Dragons; the Rugby Sculptures at Twickenham Stadium; the Cricketer at Lords; the Highland Clearances Memorial in Helmsdale, Sutherland and Axis Mundi in Edinburgh.
1973 – 1980: Galina Series
Inspired by the figurative sculpture of the First World War Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, in 1973 Gerald Laing began to model in clay and cast in bronze. The Galina Series and associated sculptures were his first works from this period.
1982 – 2007: Portrait Heads
Gerald Laing's portrait work includes heads and reliefs of Luciano Pavarotti, Andy Warhol, Paul Getty and Sam Wanamaker.
2002 – 2005: War Paintings
The Iraq war and the publication of images of torture at Abu Ghraib prison drew Gerald Laing back to painting for the first time in over three decades. The War Paintings series sees the starlets and all-American heroes of his early paintings take on new, more sinister roles.
2004 – 2011: New Paintings
Returning to the style and subject matter of his early pop art paintings, Gerald Laing's latest paintings feature media images of contemporary celebrities including Amy Winehouse and Kate Moss.
Search the Catalogue
Chevelere Assigne
Catalogue No. 684
Artist's CR 623
2005
Kinkell
Oil on canvas
36 x 32 inches / 91 x 81 cm
Collection: Destroyed by fire in 2016
- Private collection
- Collection of Destroyed by fire in 2016
- Gerald Laing: Iraq War Paintings, Galerie Salvador, Paris, 2005
- Gerald Laing: Iraq War Paintings, Globe Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne, 2007
The title is taken from a Chanson de Geste which was translated into Middle English in about 1190. The central figure, the Swan Knight, is a modern Helyas (derived from the Celtic Ala, Eala, Ealadh - a swan). Helyas was once the epitome of chivalry. Even though he is positioned in the circle and square of Vitruvius’ high concept of human perfection, my Helyas is off-balance, ungainly and deformed. His enclosed helmet fails to disguise his human fallibility. Nevertheless, the Knight, supported by his corps de ballet, delivers high explosives from a safe altitude. Can Art help?
'Artist's Notes on War Paintings', Gerald Laing, unpublished manuscript, 2004
- Chevelere Assigne