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    Lost Art Salon
    • | All Art
    • | New Arrivals
    • I Bernard Zawisa
    • | Gaétan Caron
    • | Rob Delamater
    • | Curator's Vault
    • | Book Your Visit
    • | Artist by Name
    • | Art by Category
      • Abstract
      • Figurative
      • Landscape
      • Still Life
    • | Art by Medium
      • Drawings & Watercolors
      • Limited Edition Prints
      • Mixed Media
      • Paintings
      • Photography
      • Printmaking
      • Sculptures & Objects
    • | Services
      • Rentals
      • Shipping
      • Framing
      • Our Acquisition Process
      • Installation & Design
      • FAQ for Designers

      Artist Template

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      Previous Artist

      Bernard Zawisa (1925-2000)

      A Master of Pattern & Color

      • The Collection
      • The Story

      • Entranced by the color of the seasons and the versatility of the newly-developed acrylic paints, Bernard J. Zawisa spent half a century crafting vivid abstract forms with acrylic, ink, and mixed media. He began his art practice after serving in the US Air Corps during WWII, receiving his BA from Wesleyan University and his MFA from the University of Iowa. Following his studies of Art History and English, he joined Southern Connecticut State University as an art professor in 1958 and taught until his retirement in 1994. During his winter and summer breaks, Zawisa created art while traveling internationally, however, the majority of his pieces were created during extensive stays in Los Angeles and weekend trips along Highway 1 along the California coastline. He placed great importance on the intuitive transition between color and form unique to acrylic paint, and avoided figurative content. His work is now represented in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. The Salon is proud to host several of his raw and angular early work from the 60’s (Works of Texture, Bridge Series), his highly geometric and organized paintings from the Early-Mid 70’s (Quatrefoil Series, Circle Series, Grid Pattern), and a selection of his late works from the late 70’s to 90’s (Star Series, Galaxy Series). Thank you to Zawisa’s partner, Mr. Wiggen, for taking such good care of this extraordinary collection, and for entrusting us with Bernard’s legacy.

        Artist Statement

        As for my own painting I give primacy to color, that is, color in a context or in a pattern. These are structured in a grid system of repeated shapes. Initially, I predetermine the choice of colors but as the painting progresses, as the shapes are overlapped, as the colors are blended and the work begins to take a life of its own, the initial colors have generally changed. When to my perception the painting has achieved an organic color unity, it is finished. 

        Of direct influence on my work are the colors of the seasons. Summers are spent in California where the light is a strong factor in perceiving color vibrance. The coastal mountains abound with flora or the deepest yellows and reds with rusty siennas and violet purple. The interior landscape presents another combination of golden ochres as found in the seductively soft and flowing hills. In Connecticut the transitory periods of early spring with its fragile color and autumn with its rich spectrum of hues as well as the singular beauty of the grey tones of a winter landscape command interest and attention. 

        My understanding of art involves a duality of activities – perception and conception. The former deals with visual grasping of formal elements in an organic whole; the latter is concerned with the identifying and distilling of concepts and feelings within the form. In reality both activities are inseparable and occur simultaneously; however, to give uniqueness to art, to distinguish it from other forms, I believe, an emphasis or focus should be given to the former activity, to the perception of formal elements.


        • (1925) - Bernard James Zawisa born May 12, Middletown Connecticut
        • (1944-1946) - 2nd Lieutenant, United States Air Force, Navigator
        • (1946-1950) - Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, Bachelor of Art. Etchings, including series based on James Joyce’s “Ulysses” for Honors Program. Abstract, figurative and still life paintings.
        • (1952-1954) - University of Iowa, studio, art history and theory. Master of Fine Arts in painting. Series of etchings, including one based on Jackson Pollock’s Mural; abstract figurative paintings. Work included in exhibition of American Federation of Arts, National Traveling Exhibition.
        • (1956) - Travels to Puerto Rico; meets Ralph E. Wiggen in San Juan. Series of Fortress and El Moro, San Juan, Puerto Rico drawings and paintings. Works included in exhibition of Essex Art Association, Essex, Connecticut; Boston Arts Festival, Boston, Massachusetts; and American Federation of Arts, National Tour Traveling Exhibition
        • (1957-1958) - Teaches Art History, Studio Painting, Drawing and Aesthetics at Wilkes College (now University), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
        • (1958-1994) - Professor of Art, Southern Connecticut State University. Teaches Design, Drawing and Painting; organizes and teaches courses in color, water-based media in painting and philosophy of Art. 1994 retires as Professor of Art Emeritus
        • (1960-1966) - Paints Series of texture paintings, Zawias’s notes: “imprinted, veils of brush texture, stained, layers of other colors applied with flowing strokes of a wide brush, sponge or cloth”.
        • (1962-2000) - Paints in California during January and June through mid-September. Week-end motor trips to San Diego, La Jolla, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara and Las Vegas. Frequent motor trips on Coastal Highway 1 from Morro Bay to Carmel, Monterey and San Francisco. 
        • (1964) - Continues to work on discs over land/water series, bridge series, squarish forms and veils of texture series. Zawisa’s note: “squeegee, brush, hard edge shaped by newspaper”. Work included in the New England Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture, Silverman Guild of Artists, New Canaan.
        • (1966) - Paints hard edge curved linear and striped landscape series; striped lines series; and tension series. Zawisa’s note: “hard edge shaped by tape.” Exhibition of work at Spectrum gallery, New York, New York. Work included in exhibitions of Connecticut Artist Educator Invitational, Widener Gallery, Austin Arts Center, Trinity College, Hartford, and Group Show, New York University, New York, New york.
        • (1970) - Zawisa’s notes: “Series of 50”x50” acrylic on canvas paintings of four interesecting circles in red, violet and blue; circles within squares. Work included in the exhibition of Silvermine Guild of Artists, New Canaan.
        • (1974) - Paints discs/arcs grid pattern series. Draws landscapes. 
        • (1976) - Continues to paint discs and arcs in grid pattern series. Paints first of star theme/field paintings, five pointed stars, stars and rectangle series. Work included in the exhibition of The Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, Connecticut.
        • (1977) - Paints and draws five and six pointed star theme/field, fragmented stars, galaxy and nebulosity series. Work included in exhibition of Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum of Art, Hartford; “ Mainstreams 1977”, Grover Hermann Fine Arts Center, Marietta College, Marietta, Oho, Arts League Southern Connecticut State College, New Haven; and the The Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich.
        • (1983) - Paints newsprint collages; six pointed star field paintings; corrugated cardboard stars; and six pointed astronomical stars. Early November, diagnosis of tumor in cranium in area below right ventricle. 
        • (2000) Accompanies Wiggen daily to his law offices. Draws informal sketches. In late September becomes ill and retires. Expires October 3, 2000, complications from brain tumor.
        • (2001) - September 3-28, 2001, post mortem exhibit, “Selected Paintings”, John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven.
      View All _|_ View Available _|_ View Sold
      <I>Sofia (Wisdom)</I> <br>2022 Mixed-Media on Cradled Wood <br><br>#C2435
      Sofia (Wisdom)
      2022 Mixed-Media on Cradled Wood

      #C2435
      Rob Delamater $4,500
      <I>Ceremonial</I> <br>1975 Acrylic<br><br>#C2441
      Ceremonial
      1975 Acrylic

      #C2441
      Bernard Zawisa $5,375
      <I>Tension</I> <br>1966 Acrylic<br><br>#C2442
      Tension
      1966 Acrylic

      #C2442
      Bernard Zawisa $2,950
      <I>Tracery</I> <br>1962 Acrylic <br><br>#C2443
      Tracery
      1962 Acrylic

      #C2443
      Bernard Zawisa $3,950
      <I>Manet Visits Alameda</I> <br>2005 Oil<br><br>#C2444
      Manet Visits Alameda
      2005 Oil

      #C2444
      Chuck Overton $3,850
      <i>Disc Over Textured Land/Water</i> Series <br>1963 Acrylic on Paper <br><br>#C2413
      Disc Over Textured Land/Water Series
      1963 Acrylic on Paper

      #C2413
      Bernard Zawisa $1,100
      <i>Landscape with Sun Disc</i> Series <br>1991 Acrylic & Pencil on Paper <br><br>#C2399
      Landscape with Sun Disc Series
      1991 Acrylic & Pencil on Paper

      #C2399
      Bernard Zawisa $1,050
      <i>On the Way to Las Vegas</i> <br>1993 Mixed Media Collage <br><br>#C2400
      On the Way to Las Vegas
      1993 Mixed Media Collage

      #C2400
      Bernard Zawisa $1,050
      <i>Works of Texture</i> Series <br>1964 Acrylic on Paper <br><br>#C2395
      Works of Texture Series
      1964 Acrylic on Paper

      #C2395
      Bernard Zawisa $1,100
      <i>Works of Texture</i> Series <br>1964 Acrylic on Paper <br><br>#C2405
      Works of Texture Series
      1964 Acrylic on Paper

      #C2405
      Bernard Zawisa $1,075
      <i>Works of Texture</i> Series <br>1964 Acrylic on Paper <br><br>#C2409
      Works of Texture Series
      1964 Acrylic on Paper

      #C2409
      Bernard Zawisa $1,075
      <i>Veils Upon Veils</i> <br>1987 Acrylic on Paper <br><br>#C2402
      Veils Upon Veils
      1987 Acrylic on Paper

      #C2402
      Bernard Zawisa $950
      <I>Water Edge at Chesapeake Bay</I> <br>1957 Oil<br><br>#C0960
      Water Edge at Chesapeake Bay
      1957 Oil

      #C0960
      Leo Saal $1,950
      Gestural Neighborhood Scene<br>1999 Oil<br><br>#C0972
      Gestural Neighborhood Scene
      1999 Oil

      #C0972
      John Nicolini $1,985
      <i>Pinwheel</i><br>1975 Colored Pencil<br><br>#C2345
      Pinwheel
      1975 Colored Pencil

      #C2345
      Bernard Zawisa $675
      <i>Disc Pattern</i><br>1957 Pencil<br><br>#2348
      Disc Pattern
      1957 Pencil

      #2348
      Bernard Zawisa $1,075
      <i>Squarish</i><br>1960 Pastel<br><br>#C2333
      Squarish
      1960 Pastel

      #C2333
      Bernard Zawisa On Hold
      <i>Disc Grid Pattern</i> <br>1976 Pencil <br><br>#C2344
      Disc Grid Pattern
      1976 Pencil

      #C2344
      Bernard Zawisa $1,190
      <i>Mountainscape with Barren Tree</i><br>1962 Acrylic and Ink<br><br>#C2358
      Mountainscape with Barren Tree
      1962 Acrylic and Ink

      #C2358
      Bernard Zawisa $975
      Lying on the Couch<br>1989 Acrylic<br><br>#C0963
      Lying on the Couch
      1989 Acrylic

      #C0963
      Leo Saal $1,275
      <i>Sports Coupe</i><br>1960 Acrylic and Collage <br><br>#C2334
      Sports Coupe
      1960 Acrylic and Collage

      #C2334
      Bernard Zawisa $565
      <I>Mediterranean Sun</I> <br>20th Century Oil<br><br>#C0969
      Mediterranean Sun
      20th Century Oil

      #C0969
      Sam Hugh Harris $1,475
      <i>Cost</i><br>1960 Acrylic and Collage<br><br> #C2330
      Cost
      1960 Acrylic and Collage

      #C2330
      Bernard Zawisa $550
      <i>Dusk</i><br>1957 Acrylic<br><br>#C2340
      Dusk
      1957 Acrylic

      #C2340
      Bernard Zawisa $1,250
      <i>Abstracted Female Torso</i><br> 1957 Tempera <br><br>#C2356
      Abstracted Female Torso
      1957 Tempera

      #C2356
      Bernard Zawisa $1,050
      <I>On the Edge</I> <br>20th Century Oil<br><br>#C0965
      On the Edge
      20th Century Oil

      #C0965
      Frederick Pomeroy $1,250
      SF Backyard Scene<br>20th Century Oil<br><br>#C0452
      SF Backyard Scene
      20th Century Oil

      #C0452
      Jack Freeman $785
      <i>Still Life With Flowers</i><br>1950's Etching <br><br>#C2336
      Still Life With Flowers
      1950's Etching

      #C2336
      Bernard Zawisa $485
      <i>Owl Image</i><br>1953 Etching <br><br>#C2349
      Owl Image
      1953 Etching

      #C2349
      Bernard Zawisa $1,920
      Composition with French Newspaper <br>20th C. Monotype and Collage<br><br> #C2362
      Composition with French Newspaper
      20th C. Monotype and Collage

      #C2362
      Calvin Anderson $445
      Soaring Angel <br>20th C. Monotype<br><br>#C2360
      Soaring Angel
      20th C. Monotype

      #C2360
      Calvin Anderson $650
      <i>Mountainscape with Yellow Disc</i><br>1962 Acrylic<br><br>#C2352
      Mountainscape with Yellow Disc
      1962 Acrylic

      #C2352
      Bernard Zawisa $1,150
      <i>Night</i> or <i>Dawn Gray</i> <br> 1962 Acrylic <br><br>#C2353
      Night or Dawn Gray
      1962 Acrylic

      #C2353
      Bernard Zawisa $1,075
      Square Abstraction <br>1970's Serigraph<br><br>#C2365
      Square Abstraction
      1970's Serigraph

      #C2365
      Barbara Lewis $625
      Red and Pink Abstraction <br>1970 Watercolor<br><br>#C2366
      Red and Pink Abstraction
      1970 Watercolor

      #C2366
      Barbara Lewis $395
      <i>Martin's Girl</i><br>1968 Photo Serigraph<br><br>#C2368
      Martin's Girl
      1968 Photo Serigraph

      #C2368
      Barbara Lewis $525
      <i>Figurative Sketch</i><br>1960s Ink<br><br>#C2338
      Figurative Sketch
      1960s Ink

      #C2338
      Bernard Zawisa $450
      <i>The Big Curve</i> <br>1975 Photograph <br><br>#C2371
      The Big Curve
      1975 Photograph

      #C2371
      Floyd H. Sherry $450
      <i>Garibaldi Mill</i> <br>1961 Photograph <br><br>#C2373
      Garibaldi Mill
      1961 Photograph

      #C2373
      Floyd H. Sherry $450
      <i>A Rainy Afternoon</i> <br>1983 Photograph <br><br>#C2381
      A Rainy Afternoon
      1983 Photograph

      #C2381
      Floyd H. Sherry $450
      <i>Nature</I> <br>1968 Photograph <br><br>#C2377
      Nature
      1968 Photograph

      #C2377
      Floyd H. Sherry $450
      <i>The Struggle</i> <br>1971 Photograph <br><br>#C2379
      The Struggle
      1971 Photograph

      #C2379
      Floyd H. Sherry $450
      <i>All Twisted Up</i> <br>1976 Photograph <br><br>#C2385
      All Twisted Up
      1976 Photograph

      #C2385
      Floyd H. Sherry $350
      <i>Prelude to Spring</i> <br>1983 Photograph <br><br>#C2383
      Prelude to Spring
      1983 Photograph

      #C2383
      Floyd H. Sherry $450
      <i>Approaching Storm</i> <br> 1967 Photograph <br><br>#C2391
      Approaching Storm
      1967 Photograph

      #C2391
      Floyd H. Sherry $350
      <i>Mt. Baker</i> <br>1966 Photograph <br><br>#C2389
      Mt. Baker
      1966 Photograph

      #C2389
      Floyd H. Sherry $350
      <i>Bill</i> <br>1960s Photograph <br><br>#C2300
      Bill
      1960s Photograph

      #C2300
      Floyd H. Sherry $695
      <i>Frost Beard</i> <br>1960s Photograph <br><br>#C2298
      Frost Beard
      1960s Photograph

      #C2298
      Floyd H. Sherry $555
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