Deceleration VI 1970
Deceleration VI
Catalogue raisonné no. 277
Artist's CR 268
1970
Kinkell
Oil on canvas
66 x 50 inches / 0 cm
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Gerald Laing and Alasdair Hamilton, 1971: Gerald Laing, exhibition catalogue, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 1971chevron_right
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William Peterson, 'Gerald Laing', Artspace, Winter 1976–7chevron_right
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Lindsey Ingram and Rupert Halliwell (eds.), Gerald Laing Prints and Multiples: A Catalogue Raisonné, Sims Reed Ltd, London, 2006chevron_right
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Sotheby's in 20th Century British Art, 14 March 2006, sale catalogue, Sotheby's, London, 2006chevron_right
Selected Citations and Comments
The canvases of this period are characterised by the contrast between the flat colours of the background and the Benday dot-derived system of rendering images from popular newspaper and magazine imagery. In the present work, the image of the drag racer, seen head on and literally burning towards the viewer with all the intimation of full speed, is simultaneously an image of bravado, style and recklessness. The mirrored goggles of the driver are echoed by the gaping ports of the triple racing carburettor, bringing the concept of man and machine in unity flying right into the face of the viewer.