Our cover this month, Five Color Abstraction with Running Figure by Donald Baechler, sold for $12,500 at Phillips New Now auction on Sept. 30, 2020 in New York City. Baechler, who was a part of the downtown New York City art scene in the 1980s, is known for his unique multi-layered painting-collage-drawing works. The childhood imagery in his art, including skulls, flowers and globes, often elicits a sense of nostalgia. The paintings are inspired by his own collection of images that he’s amassed over the years.
Though frequently associated with artists such as Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Baechler considers himself more of a straight-edge abstract artist and never quite identified with the graffiti art movement of his peers, despite their works being represented by the same downtown gallery in New York City. These days, his work can be found featured at galleries and museum collections throughout the world.
Interesting enough, Baechler wasn’t satisfied with his art education in New York City, finding it boring, and spent time studying in Germany after meeting a couple of interesting German exchange students. Our International Practice Committee Report this month features cross-border estate-planning tips for the like-minded, globetrotting client.
