Harold Garde
Born in New York, NY, in 1923, Garde completed his BA in Fine Arts at the University of Wyoming after serving in the Air Force during World War II. While at the University of Wyoming, Garde studied with leading abstract artist George McNeil, surrealist Leon Kelly, and geometric abstractionist painter Ilya Bolotowsky. Garde then returned to New York, completing a MA in Fine Arts and Art Education in 1951.
In the 1950’s and ‘60’s, Garde was a part of the New York Abstract Expressionists. He became increasingly committed to figurative abstraction in the 1970’s and moved into Neo-Expressionism in the 1980’s and 1990’s before returning towards abstraction more recently. In total, Garde has made a significant, if often under-recognized contribution to Post-War American art.
Garde’s move to Maine had a significant impact upon his work. He began incorporating more vibrant colors in his work compared to his earlier years in New York, attributing this change to Maine’s natural light.
Garde’s work is in all of the major museums in Maine, as well as in museums and collections throughout the country, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
(Click image to enlarge; cursor over enlarged image for details)
