Although Ray Mead (1921-1988) was born in the UK, studied at the famed Slade School of Art, and served in the Royal Air Force during the war, his artistic career was established and blossomed in Canada.  

Mead immigrated to Canada and settled in Hamilton in 1946. He had important relationships with Walter Yarwood and Hortense Gordon. The later shared many of her lessons that she had absorbed from studying with .

In the early 1950s, Mead made several trips to New York City intrigued by the nascent dominance of Abstract Expressionism. As a result, Mead's work synthesized of both European Modernism and mid-century American abstraction. 

Back in Toronto, Mead would join Painters Eleven. Mead was not nearly as active as some of his contemporaries (notably Harold Town and William Ronald) after the demise of Painters Eleven. He, in fact, took a significant amount of time off from being a studio artist in order to focus on graphic design.

Despite the art market's predictable preference for works created during the 1950's, Mead is one member of Painters Eleven who arguably became more distinctive (and perhaps better!) towards the end of his life. His compositions become more confident and graphic, often alluding to the late works of Robert Motherwell.

This work on paper is a fine example from the last chapter of the artist's career. 

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"Untitled"

Canada, c.1980

Charcoal and graphite on paper

Signed by the artist, bottom right

19"H 24.75"W (visible)

25"H 30.75"W (framed)

Very good condition.