Accession Code: wu0898 Title: Avis Date completed: 1975 Classification: Painting Medium: Acrylic on canvas Height (mm): 1770 Width (mm): 2007 Depth (mm): 45 Inscription: Location Name: Picture Store Location Description: Location Floor:

 

Irvin’s abstract paintings are about colour and gesture, they contain no obvious references or narratives though they were for him inspired by his daily experience of the world, his movement through the streets of East London where he lived would be expressed in the movements of brush or squeegee on canvas in the studio. This is one reason why so many of his works are simply named after the local streets or neighbouring districts.

Avis has all the hallmarks of Irvin’s gestural style though in this case the colours are more subdued and subtle than usual – possibly his walk through Avis Square in Stepney was relatively calm that day.