Christo (1935-2020): Works from the Gallery Collection

Christo Javacheff (1935-2020) and his wife, Jeanne-Claude de Guillebon (1935-2009) temporarily transformed landscapes and structures with their monumental installations. Projects such as Running Fence (1976) in California, Wrapped Reichstag (1995) and The Gates (2005) in New York’s Central Park, exemplify the couple’s global reach and sheer ingenuity. Underling their practice is a sensitivity towards materials and a boundless ambition which has resulted in colossal and yet, outstandingly elegant results. For example, Running Fence required over 24 miles (39km) of white, nylon fabric, and The Gates covered an impressive 23 miles (37km), both illuminating the exceptional lengths reached by the two visionaries.

Their grand-plans were completely self-funded through the sales of Christo’s preparatory works - which alongside financing the projects, documented and presented their developing ideas. These works offer insights into the minds of the couple and due to the temporary nature of their large-scale pieces, they exist as a way to permanently commemorate their achievements. Unsurprisingly, the market for such works is extremely active, as not only are they historically significant, but visually striking too.

Sadly, Christo was not alive to see the realisation of his last project L’Arc de Triomphe, which was eventually completed in 2021. In light of his passing, it is likely there will be one final piece; The Mastaba of Abu Dhabi (Project for United Arab Emirates). The mastaba structure, composed of 410,000 multi-coloured barrels, will stand at 300 meters (984ft) long by 150 (492ft) meters high. It will be the only permanent, large-scale public artwork by the couple, even promising to be the largest permanent work of art on the globe.

In 2018 our gallery held a major exhibition of Christo’s work and have since continued to uphold his legacy. All works displayed in the catalogue are available for purchase.

front cover (detail)

The Gates (Project for Central Park New York City) Enamel paint, charcoal, wax crayon, graphite, tape, fabric and photograph by Wolfgang Volz 43 x 55.8 cm (16 ⁷/₈ x 22 inches) Signed, titled, inscribed and dated; signed and dated CHRISTO 2004 on the reverse Illustrated on page 8

Running Fence (Project for Sonoma and Marin County State of California) Charcoal, pencil, coloured pen, staples, photograph, glue and fabric collage on card laid on board 29 x 40.4 cm (11 ³/₈ x 15 ⁷/₈ inches) Signed, titled and dated 1974 and dedicated For Paul Wember

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Wrapped Reichstag (Project for Berlin) Pencil, fabric, twine, charcoal, map, and wax crayon on board 71 x 55.6 cm (28 x 21 ⁷/₈ inches) Signed center right, Christo 1979

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The Gates (Project for Central Park, New York City) Pencil, wax crayon, charcoal, enamel paint, pastel with fabric and map collage, in two parts 28 x 71 cm (11 x 28 inches); 56 x 71 cm (22 x 28 inches) Signed and dated upper right, Christo 1983

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The Gates (Project for Central Park, New York City) Collage, pencil, enamel paint, photograph by Wolfgang Volz, wax crayon and tape 35.5 x 56 cm (14 x 22 inches) Signed and dated lower left and inscribed on the reverse, Christo 1998

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The Gates (Project for Central Park New York City) Enamel paint, charcoal, wax crayon, graphite, tape, fabric and photograph by Wolfgang Volz 43 x 55.8 cm (16 ⁷/₈ x 22 inches) Signed, titled, inscribed and dated; signed and dated CHRISTO 2004 on the reverse

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The Mastaba of Abu Dhabi (Project for United Arab Emirates) Wax crayon, pastel, charcoal, pencil and map on paper on board, in two parts 78 x 67.3 cm (30 ³/₄ x 26 ¹/₂ inches), 78 x 31.2 cm (30 ³/₄ x 12 ¹/₄ inches) Signed, titled, dated and annotated; signed and dated on the reverse

Executed in 2007

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