James Harrison American, 1925-1990
James C. Harrison was born November 27th, 1925 in Detroit and graduated from Cass Tech High School with a commercial art degree in 1943. Harrison went on to study briefly at Cranbrook Academy of Art and Olivet College before realizing that a traditional educational setting was not agreeable with him. Thus, he became largely a self-taught artist, and moved to New York City in 1950. By the mid-1950s he had devised a style of portraiture that incorporated the seemingly random scribbles of surrealist automatist drawing. Drawing was largely the basis of Harrison’s art. He called his work “painting - drawing". In the 1970s and 1980s, James Harrison produced a remarkable body of densely worked, visionary paintings and drawings that have lately acquired cult following. Prolonged study of Harrison's work might reveal a coherent system of symbols and cosmic psychology underwriting Harrison's art. What is more immediately compelling is the tension between recognizable mystical imagery and painterly obfuscation, which might be read as a metaphor for the artist's struggle to transcend his own psychic chaos. Participating in several group exhibitions, Harrison had his first one-man exhibition at A Place Apart Gallery in Brooklyn in 1983. In 1987 at the age of 58, the Ledisflam Gallery in SoHo, New York mounted a 40-year retrospective of his work. For many years Harrison held his paintings as his own closely guarded secrets. He would often revisit his works adding to or further explaining his inspiration for each one. As his interests changed or his understanding deepened, Harrison would inscribe the backs of his works to reflect this evolution. These writings now shed light on Harrison’s complex personality as he critiqued his own art, days, weeks or even decades later. James C. Harrison was a protégé of Cy Twombly and Robert Rauschenberg, a friend of James Baldwin, a follower of Carl Jung and was influenced by artists such a Jean Michel Basquiat, Philip Guston and Willem de Kooning. Harrison died on November 10th, 1990.
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Untitled, 1945 Oil on artist’s board Image 18 x 24" overall Oil on artist’s board portrait of boy holding up hand. Signed "Harrison" and dated "'45" lower left. Image 18 x 24" high overall. $650 1153
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Interior Particles, 1947 Monotype on paper Image 18 x 24" overall Matted 14 x1 8” high overall Monotype on paper interior scene. Signed "Harrison" and dated "1947" lower right, titled "Interior Parts" lower left. Image 5 3/4 x 6 1/2" high, matted 14 x 18" high overall. $385 1502
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Nail Head, 1956 Mixed media on paper Image 11 1/2 x 14 1/2" high Framed 19 1/2 x 24 1/2” high overall Mixed media abstract on paper, part of the "Face Furniture" series. Signed "Harrison", dated "1956" lower right, titled "Nail Head" lower right. Image 11 1/2 x 14 1/2" high, framed 19 1/2 x 24 1/2” high overall. $585 1511
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 At the Moment…, 1952-84 Mixed media on paper Image 9 x 12" high Framed 15 1/4 x 19 1/4" high overall Mixed media on paper figural abstract. Initialed "J.H", dated "52-84" lower right, additionally signed, titled "At the Moment Eurydice Must Return to the Shades" and annotated verso. Image measures 9 x 12" high, framed 15 1/4 x 19 1/4" high overall. $525 1135
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990
Sacrificial Operation, 1952-82 Gouache, crayon, and pastel on paper Image 8 x 10" high Framed 16 x 19" high overall Gouache, crayon and pastel on paper. Signed "J. Harrison", dated "Sept 28 1982" lower right, additionally signed titled "Sacrificial Operation", dated "1952-1982" and annotated verso. Image 10 x 8" high, framed 19 x 16” " high overall. $525 1079
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 A Time for Separated Twins to Reunite, 1954-82 Mixed media on paper Image 8 x 10 1/2" high Framed 13 1/2 x 15 1/2" high overall Mixed media on paper. Signed "J. Harrison" and dated "1954/1982" lower right, additionally signed, titled "A Time for Separated Twins to Reunite" and annotated verso. Image 8 x 10 1/2" high, framed 13 1/2 x 15 1/2" high overall. $525 1026
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Roaring Lion, 1962-69 Gouache, crayon, and pastel on paper Image 8 x 10" high Framed 14 x 18" high overall Gouache, crayon, and pastel on paper. Signed "Harrison" and dated "62/83" upper right, titled "O, Roaring Lion" and annotated verso. Image 8 x 10" high, framed 14 x 18" high overall. $525 1061
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 A Kind of Hopscotch, 1969 Acrylic and marker on paper Image 11 1/4 x 14 1/4" high Framed 21 1/2 x 25 1/2" high overall Acrylic and marker abstract on paper. Signed "J. Harrison", dated "1969" lower right, titled "Here I've Crossed out the Boys (A Kind of Hop-Scotch and am Lifting the Femenine Triangle Over My..." lower left. Drawing in marker and acrylic verso. Image 11 1/4 x 14 1/4" high, framed 21 1/2 x 25 1/2" high overall. $585 1510
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Struggling with Two, 1962 Mixed media on paper Image 12 x 9” high Matted 17 x 14” high overall Mixed media abstract on paper. Signed “J.C. Harrison”, dated “1962”, and titled “Struggling with Two” upper right. Image 12 x 9" high, matted 17 x 14" high overall. $285 1252
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Dragon Slayer, 1966 Mixed media assemblage Framed 12 1/4 x 72 1/2" high overall Mixed media assemblage containing ten photographs of the artist taken by Doug Quackenbush. Titled "Dragon Slayer" and dated "1966" upper center. In a artist made frame 12 1/4 x 72 1/2" high overall. $1,200 1196
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Commemorating My 3rd Anniversary, 1969 Oil on canvas Image 27 x 33” high Framed 27 1/2 x 33 1/2” high overall Oil on canvas. Signed “Harrison” lower right, additionally signed, titled “Commemorating My 3rd Anniversary”, dated “1969” and annotated verso. Image 27 x 33" high, framed 27 1/2 x 33 1/2" high overall. $1,250 1147
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Garden Club Epiphany, 1974-78 Mixed media on paper Image 14 x 22 1/2" high Matted 19 ½ x 28” high overall Mixed media on paper figural abstract. Signed "Harrison", dated "1974-78" and titled "Garden Club Epiphany" upper right. Image 14 x 22 1/2" high, with matting 19 1/2 x 28" high overall. $425 1214
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Hanged Man, 1972-78 Mixed media on paper Image 14 x 11" high Framed 21 x 15" high overall Mixed media on paper. Initialed "J.H", dated "72-82" upper right, titled "Hanged Man" upper center, additionally signed, dated and titled "At the Moment Eurydice Must Return to the Shades" verso. Image 14 x 11" high, framed 21 x 15" high overall. $525 1254
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Out of Cave/Grave, 1978 Mixed media on paper Image 21 x 12" high Framed 28 x 19" high overall Mixed media on paper. Signed "J. Harrison" and dated "Oct. 6. 52" lower right, titled "3 Who Came out of the Cave/Grave" center. Image 21 x 12" high, framed 28 x 19" high overall. $650 1359
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Untitled, 1963 Acrylic & gouache on paper Image 12 x 18” high Framed 19 1/2 x 25 1/2” high overall Acrylic and gouache abstract on paper. Signed "Harrison", dated "1963" lower right. Image 12 x 18” high, framed 19 1/2 x 25 1/2” high overall. $585 1514
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Tumulous Eruptus, 1976-82 Mixed media on paper Image 16 x 20” high Framed 20 1/2 x 25” high overall Mixed media on paper. Signed "J. Harrison" lower right, additionally signed, titled "Tumulous Eruptus…Tomb of the Lightening's Bride", dated "1976-Jan-1982" and annotated verso. Image 10 1/2 x 17" high, in artist made frame 19 x 25" high overall. $585 1054
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Untitled, 1975-1982 Mixed media collage on paper Image 8 1/2 x 14" high Framed 13 1/2 x 19 1/2” high overall Mixed media collage on paper. Initialed "J.H.", dated "1975-1982" lower right. Image 8 1/2 x 14" high, framed 13 1/2 x 19 1/2” high overall. $525 1516
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Untitled, 1970-1978 Pastel and gouache on paper Image 13 x 19 1/2” high Framed 20 x 25” high overall Pastel and gouache horned figure portrait on paper. Signed “J. Harrison” and dated “1970-1978” lower right. Image 13 x 19 1/2” high, framed 20 x 25” high overall. $585 1242
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Reworked Window, 1974 Mixed media on paper Image 13 1/2 x 22” high Framed 24 x 32 1/2” high overall Mixed media abstract on paper. Signed “J. Harrison”, dated “1974”, titled “Reworked Window” lower right. Image 13 1/2 x 22” high, framed 24 x 32 1/2” high overall. $850 1475
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 My Emerald Doors, 1978 Mixed media on canvas Image 40 x 49" high Framed 50 x 76" high overall Mixed media on canvas abstract. Signed "James C. Harrison", dated "1978" and titled "My Emerald Doors" with extensive annotation verso. Image measures 40 x 49" high, in artist made frame 50 x 76" high overall. $2,250 1150
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Freeport Hospital Vision #4, 1972 Mixed media on paper Image 38 1/4 x 42 3/4" high Framed 38 3/4 x 43 1/4" high overall Mixed media on paper figural abstract. Signed "J. Harrison", dated "Jan.15.1972" and titled "Freeport Hospt. Vision #4" verso. Image 38 1/4 x 42 3/4" high, framed 38 3/4 x 43 1/4" high overall. $985 1140
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 When Mars is Over Head and Uranus Below…, 1973-83 Mixed media on paper Image 18 x 23" high Framed 27 x 32 1/2" high overall Mixed media on paper abstract. Signed "J.Harrison", dated "6-10-78" & "5-16-83" and titled "When Mars is Over Head & Uranus Below" verso. Image 18 x 23" high, framed 27 x 32 1/2" high overall. $885 1154
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Shepherd of the Sapphire, 1977-83 Mixed media on paper Image 18 1/2 x 23 1/2" high Framed 27 x 33 1/4" high overall Mixed media on paper abstract. Initialed "J.H.", dated "9.77" and "5/83" lower left, additionally initialed, titled "Shepherd of the Sapphire" and annotated verso. Exhibited Harkness House Gallery, New York. Image 18 1/2 x 23 1/2" high, in original artist made frame 27 x 33 1/4" high overall. $885 1046
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Dionysus' Second Birth From the Thigh of Zeus, 1975 Mixed media on paper Image 11 x 14”” high Framed 23 1/4 x 27 1/4” high overall Mixed media on paper figural abstract. Initialed "J.H", dated "1984" and titled "Dionysus' Second Birth From the Thigh of Zeus, or is it Apollo Riding Dionysus' Knee?" verso. Image measures 11 x 14" high, in artist made frame 23 1/4 x 27 1/4" high overall. $850 1008
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 A Talk with…, 1980 Mixed media on paper Image 17 1/2 x 22” high Framed 26 x 31” high overall Mixed media abstract on paper. Initialed “J. H” and dated “’80” lower right, titled “A Talk with…” center. Image 17 1/2 x 22” high, framed 24 x 31” high overall. $850 1503
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Truth Extraction, 1981 Gouache & mixed media on paper Image 14 x 20" high Framed 22 1/2 x 28" high overall Gouache and mixed media on paper abstract. Signed "J. Harrison" and dated "1981/85" lower right. Additionally signed, titled "Truth Extraction" and annotated verso. Image 14 x 20" high, in original artist made frame 22 1/2 x 28" high overall. $850 1023
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 What a Mask Goes Thru, 1987 Mixed media on paper Image 18 1/2 x 24” high Framed 23 x 28” high overall Mixed media action painting on paper. Initialed “J.H.”, dated “1987” and titled “What a Mask Goes Thru” lower right. Image 18 1/2 x 24” high, framed 23 x 28” high overall. $825 1406
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 To Max Jacob, 1989 Mixed media on paper Image 19 1/2 x 25 1/2” high Framed 25 1/2 x 31 1/2” high overall Mixed media action painting on paper. Initialed “J.H.”, dated “1989” and titled “To Max Jacob” lower left. Image 19 1/2 x 25 1/2” high, framed 25 1/2 x 31 1/2” high overall. $850 1412
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Nu Babe on the Horizon, 1989 Quadtych - Mixed media on canvas Largest canvas 60 x 60 high Triangle 59 1/2 x 30” high overall Quadtych composed of mixed media abstracts on canvas. Initialed “J.H.”, dated “1989”and titled “Nu Babe on the Horizon verso. Largest canvas panel measures 60 x 60” high, triangle 59 1/2 x 30” high overall. $4,850 1172/1068
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Artemis, 1989 Mixed media on paper Image 27 x 38 1/2” high Framed 31 1/2 x 43” high overall Mixed media figural abstract on paper. Initialed “J.H.” and dated “5.8.89” upper right, titled “Artemis” verso. Image measures 27 x 38 1/2", framed 31 1/2 x 43" overall. $1,200 1468
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990
After Pollaiuolo, 1985 Gouache on paper Image 72 x 25” high Framed 83 1/2 x 33" high overall Graphite and pastel figural abstract diptych on paper. Exhibited LedisFlam Gallery, New York. Signed “J. Harrison”, dated “1985” and titled “After Pallaiuolo” upper left. (The Pollaiuolo brothers were 15th Italian sculptors, painters, engravers, and goldsmiths). Image 72 x 25" high, framed 83 1/2 x 33" high overall. $3,850 1171
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 David B Sone Off Stn, 1989 Mixed media on paper Image 22 x 30" high Framed 24 1/2 x 32 1/4" high overall Mixed media on paper abstract portrait of David Berkowitz (Son of Sam). Initialed "J.H.", dated "8.20.89" and titled "David B Sone Off Stn" lower center. Image 22 x 30" high, framed 24 1/2 x 32 1/4" high overall. $750 1040
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Order Below Freedom Above, 1988 Mixed media on paper Image 42 x 60" high Framed 46 1/2 x 65" high overall Mixed media on paper figural abstract. Initialed "J.H.", dated "5.22.88" and titled "Order Below Freedom Above" middle right. Image 42 x 60" high, framed 46 1/2 x 65" high overall. $1,850 1170
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Blessed Passage, 1990 Mixed media on paper Image 24 x 19” high Framed 34 1/2 x 28 high overall Mixed media abstract on paper. Initialed "J.H", dated "1990" and titled "Blessed Passage" upper right. Image 24 x 19” high, framed 34 1/2 x 28" high overall. $825 1515
James C. Harrison American, 1925-1990 Door Keepers, 1990 Mixed media on paper Image 23 1/4 x 18 1/4" high Framed 31 1/2 x 26 1/2" high overall Mixed media on paper. Signed "J. Harrison", dated "1990" and titled "Door Keepers" lower left. Image 23 1/4 x 18 1/4" high, framed 31 1/2 x 26 1/2" high overall. $850 1477