Harold Garde
Masks (1991)
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.
Born
June 7, 1923, New York, New York
Education
1949 - BA Fine Arts, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
1951 - MA Fine Arts and Art Education, Columbia University, New York, NY
Public Collections
Bates University, Lewiston, ME
Bert Fish Hospital, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris, France
Brest Museum, University of Jacksonville, FL
Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, ME
John Hancock Life Insurance Company, Boston, MA
Museum of Florida Art, Deland, FL
Fine Arts Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM
University of Maine, Orono, ME
University of Maine, Presque Isle, ME
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Print Library, New York, NY
Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Ogunquit, ME
Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando, FL
Portland Museum of Art, Portland, ME
Reading University, Reading, England
Volusia County Libraries, FL
Fine Art Museum, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Selected Exhibitions
2019
Burn This Down: Reflections on the Art World, Mills Gallery, Orlando, FL
Some Reliable Truths About Chairs, Union of Maine Visual Artists Gallery, Portland, ME
Never Too Late, Mt. Doro, FL
Art on Paper, New York, NY2018
New Works, ArtSuite Gallery, Piermont, NY2017-18
Harold Garde, AbEx to Neo-Expressionism, Artlery 160 Gallery, Boston, MA2016
Harold Garde: Last of the Game Changers, HENAO Contemporary Center, Orlando, FL2015
Harold Garde: Mid Century To This Century, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando, FL2014
Harold Garde, Masterworks, Jai Gallery, Orlando, FL2013
Kimonos: Strappo Prints by Harold Garde, Art Museum, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Garde Addendum, Maine Jewish Museum, Portland, ME2012
Harold Garde’s People, Places and Things, The Emery Community Arts Center, University of Maine, Farmington, ME
Iconoclass: Mural Unveiling, Museum of Florida Art, DeLand FL2009
Retrospective Exhibition: Harold Garde Painting 50 Years, Museum of Florida Art, DeLand, FL2008
Harold Garde: Strappo Landscapes, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockland, ME
