Philip Burnham Hicken Original Serigraph - 1954

Philip Burnham Hicken (1910-1985) is a well known printmaker who specialized in making screenprints or original serigraphs. He is noted for being an innovator in creating abtract serigraphs when the medium of serigraphy was in its infancy. He started as a printmaker with a 4 year apprenticeship at Forbes Lithography Inc. where he drew diverse realist subjects like civil war scenes and portraits of George Washington. His classical training led to his participation in the WPA's easel and mural projects (1936). While in the WPA, he worked as a muralist, teacher, watercolorist, painter and silk-screen printmaker (which became his preferred medium for artistic expression for most of his life. His best friend was noted serigrapher Edward Landon who steered him towards abstraction. He participated in the first exhibition devoted entirely to silkscreen prints (1940). In 1944, he was assigned to Patton's Third Army where he worked as an army artist making training aids. Several of his sketcheslater became silkscreen prints. After the 3rd army liberated Nuremberg, Germany, he offered art training in a small art school for interested G.I.s who wearily resided in the war-torn city. Post war, his teaching career took place at Boston University, Harvard University and eventually he became the Chairman of the Department of Design at the Boston School of Art. He continued to create colorful abstract silkscreen prints into the 1970's. He died in 1985.

This serigraph is crayon titled "The Yellow Boat" in the lower left margin. It is in an edition of 37 and is signed "Hicken" in white crayon in the lower right corner. In the lower left, it is crayon numbered "10/37". Documentation indicates that the print was crated in 1954. The image measures 12"  x 24" and the sheet measures 17" x 26". This colorful serigraph was purchased from the Hatay-Stratton Gallery back in 1995. The subject reflects a serene, modernist seascape featuring the yellow boat of the title and an abstract harbor in the background. There are 11 predominant colors including shades of dusky rose, tones of blue and aqua, yellow, white, brown and beige on black paper.  I have collected Philip Hicken's silkscreen prints for years and have sold several over the past decade to art collectors who know his contribution to the medium of serigraphy. A comprehensive bio-sheet on the artist will also be included in this lot.