Lot 23: Paul Yates (b.1954) HOUSE MADE OF STRAW, 1972

Paul Yates (b.1954) HOUSE MADE OF STRAW, 1972 signed in monogram and dated lower right; signed, titled and dated on reverse oil on canvas board 35 by 40cm., 13.75 by 15.75in. Exhibited: Tom Caldwell Gallery, Belfast, 1972 Artist, poet, film-maker and sculptor, Paul Yates was born in Belfast and began writing and painting at an early age encouraged by his high school teacher, the artist Jack Pakenham. His first solo exhibition, curated by Patricia Riddell, took place at the Tom Caldwell Gallery in 1972 when he was just eighteen years of age. His first solo exhibition in London was held at the ICA in 1976. His first collection of poems and drawings, 'A White Cat With A Human Face', was published in 1974, sponsored by John Hewitt and Gladys Maccabe among others. Several collections have been published since, with translations in French, Spanish, Danish and Russian. Yates' most recent show at the Tom Caldwell Gallery, 'Paul Yates A - Z', formed part of the Belfast Festival at Queens University, 2008. This exhibition attracted wide acclaim and drew record attendances. Also in 2008, the Caldwell Gallery published Mourne, poems by Paul Yates with images by Basil Blackshaw, one of a number of successful collaborations between Yates and Blackshaw. A limited edition of this work also features in this sale, see lot 22.