Thu 12 Apr 2012
The “other” Gauguin show comes to Seattle
Posted by Marlow Harris under Art , Openings , Seattle News[3] Comments
You may have read about the Gauguin show at the Seattle Art Museum that is open now. Consider this the anti- or counter-Gauguin show, the opening of an art show of paintings by Edgar Leeteg, known as the “American Gauguin”.
Just as Paul Gauguin went to live in French Polynesia in 1891 to paint and be inspired by native culture, so did Edgar Leeteg.
Both men have been the subject of much interest both then and in modern times due to alleged sexual exploits and both were suspected to have had trysts with several native girls, some of whom appear as subjects of their paintings.
Now, for 3 days only, Seattleites will be able to view both Polynesian Masters, within walking distance of each other.
The Edgar Leeteg show will be open for viewing April 27th-29th, coincidentally the last weekend of the Paul Gauguin show at Seattle Art Museum, and close enough to view both shows on the same day.
The Leeteg show is located at 1016 Alley Arts located at 1016 1st Avenue. Use the alley entrance behind Hotel 1000 (between 1st and 2nd, Spring and Madison), just two blocks South of the Seattle Art Museum.
The show opens Friday April 27th, from 6pm until 10pm. Music by the 9-piece band The Ukadelics.
Also open Saturday April 28th and Sunday April 29th, noon till 5pm. Stop by before or after you visit the Seattle Art Museum. This weekend will also be the last weekend of the Gauguin show. Say “good-bye” to Tahiti in style.
Leeteg left the United States and went to French Polynesia and stayed there and painted until his death in 1953. He lived in Cook’s Bay, Tahiti, using the dark skinned women of the island as his models. His main subject was beautiful Polynesian women, and he painted them amidst their background, their culture and their history. The eroticism, colour and detail of these paintings made him famous.
Leeteg’s popularity soared following a fortunate meeting with Honolulu art gallery owner Barney Davis, who became his patron. It was with Davis’ help that Leeteg built his great Villa Velour estate in Moorea. Davis worked as Leeteg’s agent and they had a fruitful and profitable relationship together. His paintings were popular in bars in America and Polynesia.
This collection of over 25 Edgar Leeteg original paintings is owned by local collector David Price, and this is the first time they’ve been seen publicly since 1999.
David Price is the owner of Green Room Decor, and specializes in props and furniture for concerts, shows, exhibits and events around the Seattle area.
Price will also be displaying a number of paintings by the black velvet painter Burke Tyree.
