Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright. . .

In the forests of the night;

What immortal hand or eye,

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

The Tyger, William Blake, 1794

We know who framed the fearful symmetry of this majestic tiger, famed Texas artist William Kelly Fearing (1918-2011). These photographs do not capture the beauty and power of this great cat in captured by Kelly in alert response. 

Titled "Tiger Day and Night," 

. . . the piece is signed and dated by Fearing.

It is numbered "24/32," indicating that this work is the twenty-fourth print from a limited edition of thirty-two.

Fearing studied art at Louisiana Tech University, subsequently earning his a master’s degree at Columbia University in New York City. In 1943, he moved to Fort Worth, where he joined the "Fort Worth Circle," a group of artists who experimented with contemporary art concepts, such as surrealism and modernism. During this period, Fearing became interested in metaphysics and his works often have a mystical or spiritual feel. He taught art at Texas Wesleyan University, but in 1947 moved to the University of Texas art department in Austin, where he joined artists such as Charles Umlauf in defining Texas mid-century modernism. Fearing retired in 1987 as professor emeritus, but continued to create art. Throughout  his long career, Fearing experimented with a wide variety of media, from print making to found-object collages. 

Fearing was a major influence in introducing modern art concepts in Texas. Not only did he mentor his students during his decades as an art professor, Fearing inspired future generations by founding The University of Texas Junior Art Project, a visual arts program offering children free, university-based instruction and exposure to the arts.  His artwork has been featured in numerous exhibitions throughout the United States and is included in many private and public collections including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Dallas Museum of Art, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.  In 2007, Fearing received the prestigious E. William Doty Award from the College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin, recognizing his extraordinary professional achievement and dedication to the College of Fine Arts.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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