Sir Peter Blake Inscribed Poster Entitled 'Doktor K. Tortur'

Sir Peter Blake inscribed poster entitled Doktor K. Tortur created for the Robert Fraser Gallery, London Descriptor: This poster was created by the British Pop artist Sir Peter Blake for an exhibition held at the-then world famous Robert Fraser Gallery from October 20 to November 27 1965. It is based on a mixed media artwork created by Blake, often recognised for his work on The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper album cover. The artwork is part of a series of fictional wrestler portraits created by him. It features a bald, bare-chested figure, depicted in a menacing manner, looking directly at the viewer. It is a collage and assemblage, often incorporating acrylic, paint and found materials on board. Doktor K. Tortur is a prime example of Blake’s fascination with pop culture, specifically the theatrical and exaggerated personas of 1950/60s British wrestling. This work was notably associated with the Robert Fraser Gallery, which was a hub for pop art, in general and British in particular in the 1960s. The poster is framed and glazed. Dimensions: Frame : H80 cm, W45 cm and D4 cm - Image H62 cm and W27 cm Condition: This Poster is now 50 years old and carries its colour well and in Good/Very Good condition It was published by Robert Fraser Gallery in 1965 The poster carries an associational inscription of significance as set out in full below: It was published by Robert Fraser Gallery in 1965 Note on the Associational Inscription of Significance: This poster has been signed by Peter Blake and dedicated to the eminent artist, Iain Walker who passed away in 2022. Iain Walker (1946-2022) was a painter, draughtsman and teacher born in Eton, Berkshire. He obtained a first class-class diploma in art and design with honours at Liverpool College of Art, 1962-67. Walker then studied at the Royal College of Art from 1968-71, where he gained a Master’s degree in Art with first class honours. Walker was a Senior Lecturer at the City and Guilds London Art School from 1973-91. Throughout his career he was a consultant to designers, architects and organisers of art exhibitions. Walker has exhibited at the Royal Academy, Walker Art Gallery and Bluecoat Gallery in Liverpool, Ernst and Young-sponsored exhibitions, Beaux Arts in Bath and elsewhere. Both public and private collections hold representative examples of Walker’s artwork. Note on the Provenance of this Poster This poster depicting a figure with Surrealist connotations that evokes a sense of disquiet was given to Iain Walker after Peter Blake interviewed him when he applied for enrolment as a student at the Royal College of Art to serve, it is reported, both as a source of inspiration for Walker’s intended journey of life in art and also as reminder-for-life of a significant milestone in his career as an artist. A note handwritten by Ian Walker in what appears to be in the final years of his life is attached to the back of the frame. Our Comment This modestly priced inscribed poster with a significant associational connection and with unimpeachable provenance should appeal to a range of collectors of art-on-paper, in particular posters. Inter alia, the following categories of collectors come to find: i. Dedicated collectors of Pop Art, in particular, British Pop Art; ii. Collectors of the artwork of Sir Peter Blake; iii. Collectors of the artwork of Iain Walker, who, in our view, was an under-rated artist; iv. Collectors of artwork inspired by sport; v. Collectors of surrealist art; vi. Collectors of so-called ‘automatic art; vii. Fans and followers of wrestling who are also interested in art and collecting art. It would make a perfect gift to a collector of art who is also interested in modern-day wrestling, both as a sport and theatre.