Artist Biography:
Nicholas Africano (American, b. 1948), painter and sculptor, is best known for his association with the "New Image" painters of the 1970's and 1980's. This group, propelled by an exhibition at the Whitney Museum in 1978, is considered the first wave of artists working against the conceptual and performative inclination of the time. From this time onward, Africano's became known for his large-scale paintings with tiny figures illustrating scenes from the artistís life. He has exhibited at the Holly Solomon Gallery, The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, The Corcoran Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art.

About the Work:
Rubbing Anna's Legs is a large-scale oil painting uniquely fabricated on a golden painted rug. These small, isolated figures reflect a highly intimate scene from the artist's own life: an anti-heroic meditation on everyday love and support. As the scale of the work echoes an individual's helplessness in the larger society, Africano's painting stands as an emotional plea for thoughtfulness and togetherness.

Market Information:
Africanos ceased using biographical material in his work in the early 1980s, saying he felt troubled by his painterly invasions of his own and of other's privacy. That said, this work is a highly valuable and rare example of this notable artist.