'The Tempest', Large Abstract Oil on Canvas by Edgar Ewing

'The Tempest', large abstract oil on canvas by Edgar Ewing (1913-2006).

Original label "THE TEMPEST"
BY EDGAR EWING
DALZELL HATFIELD GALLERIES
On the back.

Canvas: 40 × 50 in.
With frame: 41 ¼ × 51 ¼ in.

Edgar Louis Ewing was born in Hartington, Nebraska in 1913. Ewing began his career at the age of 18, as a student of painting and drawing at the Art Institute of Chicago under Boris Ansfels. Right away, Ewing had a deep personal philosophy for his art career. Ewing’s success lead him the Edward L. Ryerson Fellowship for Foreign Travel and Study upon graduation in 1935.

After his studies in Europe, Ewing returned to Chicago to become a member of the faculty of the Art Institute of Chicago and later educator of the Arts at the University of Southern California. The University of Chicago was one of his first teaching stints, though interims were spent at Oregon as well as Michigan Universities. Years later Ewing went on to teach at the University of Southern California, where he remained for numerous years. Throughout his entire career as an educator, he remained a highly productive artist. Ewing became the recipient of a myriad of awards and recognitions for his solo as well as group exhibitions.

Ewing embraced his double career of artist and educator and was equally devoted to each passion.

At the age of 30, WWII erupted and Ewing offered himself as a member of the Corps of Engineers attached to CPIC-RAF. Specifically, he served for the Southeast Asia command in China, Burma, India Theatre, in the Philippines and Japan. While away, Ewing’s work was featured in Group exhibitions affiliated with The Art Institute of Chicago. He returned to the United States after three years and resumed his careers as artist and educator. With 11 years at the University of Southern California, Ewing went on sabbatical to journey throughout Europe. Specifically, England, France, Italy, Switzerland and Greece. Ewing developed a particular affinity for Greece and spent lengthy intervals in the country.

In 1964, Ewing went on leave again from University of Southern California and became an artist in residence at the American Academy in Rome. In this time he allowed for inspiration from travels across Europe as well as Asia; in Portugal, Spain, England, Holland, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, India, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. In 1967 he receiveed the Jose Drudis Foundation Grant which allowed for his work in Greece. At the same time his work was shown at the prestigious Esther Bear Gallery in Santa Barbara, California. From 1968 through 1969 Ewing was awarded The Andrew Mellon Chair at the Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1972 he continued work as Professor at University of Southern and as well as spending summers in his Athens studio. His strong impact in the Los Angeles Art community lead him to win the Los Angeles Library Association Eighth Annual. His continuous travels to Greece allowed for series of work based on his travels (i.e. Greek Wedding Series 1973, which is featured at the prestigious National Gallery in Athens as well as the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery the year later).