Duane Michals

(American, b. 1932)

The Wizard of the Woods, 2008

chromogenic print with handwritten text

signed, dated 5 22 08, dedicated For Joel, and numbered 1/25 in white ink

11 x 20 inches.

The Collection of Joel Grey

Provenance:

The Artist.

Gifted from the above in 2008.

Lot Note:

Duane Michals is a pioneering American photographer known for his deeply personal, often philosophical photo sequences that blend image and text to explore themes of identity, memory, love, and mortality. A self-taught artist, Michals broke away from traditional photographic norms in the 1960s and 70s, introducing narrative and handwritten captions into his work- transforming photography into a poetic, introspective art form.

Mr. Grey, who owns several of Michals’s works, speaks of him with warmth and admiration: “He’s a genius – I mean he knows more about art than almost anyone I know… and he’s a good friend.” Their friendship began serendipitously- “I think walking down the street where I lived,” Grey recalls- and blossomed through a shared passion for theater and art. Grey describes Michals as “one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet, and one of the smartest,” noting that he’s always creating: “He never stops. He’s just a genius.” For Grey, Michals is not only a brilliant visual artist but also “a poet” whose work continues to inspire.

The Wizard of the Woods, 2008