Alan Davie C.B.E., R.A., H.R.S.A. (British, 1920–2014)

Title: Wheel of Fortune Over the Village
Date: 1998
Medium: Oil on Canvasboard
Dimensions: 30 cm x 37.5 cm (11.75 in x 14.75 in)
Signed: Signed, inscribed with the title, and dated verso
Exhibition History: Gimpel Fils, London

Description:

A striking example of Alan Davie’s bold and expressive visual language, Wheel of Fortune Over the Village (1998) is a vibrant and dynamic composition, rich in symbolic imagery and intense color. Davie’s characteristic gestural brushwork and spontaneous mark-making are evident, creating a rhythmic interplay between abstract forms and suggestive figurative elements.

The work exemplifies Davie’s fascination with mysticism, symbolism, and automatic painting, which he often explored through his distinctive layering of shapes, symbols, and colors. The "Wheel of Fortune" motif evokes themes of fate, cyclical motion, and chance, while the background hints at an abstracted village setting.

Davie, one of Britain’s most influential post-war abstract painters, was deeply inspired by Zen philosophy, jazz improvisation, and primitive art—all of which resonate in this lively and enigmatic piece. The painting was exhibited at Gimpel Fils, London, a gallery renowned for showcasing modern and contemporary British artists.

This work is a testament to Davie’s mastery of color, movement, and spontaneity, embodying his unique approach to abstraction and symbolism.