Sam Middleton (1927-2015) Untitled 1995 Lithograph on paper signed and dated lower right annotated EA/1 44.5 x 91 cm Condition report: Framed Sam Middleton is a renowned collage artist, part of the modernist movement. His work is deeply influenced by the vibrant cultural and musical scene of Harlem and Greenwich Village. Jazz, characterized by improvisation and spontaneity, has left a definitive mark on Middleton's art: "For me, improvisation is a galaxy of colors. When I listen to music, I feel like a soloist on a quest to paint sounds." He sees his collages as a form of visual improvisation. Middleton forged friendships with key figures of the New York School, such as Franz Kline, Jackson Pollock and Robert Motherwell. In 1955, Middleton followed in the footsteps of African-American artists such as Charles White and Elizabeth Catlett and moved to Mexico City, where he began to explore collage and moved from social realism to expressionism. In 1959, the artist left the United States for good and settled in Europe. His friends and traveling companions include African-American expatriates such as Herbert Gentry, James Baldwin and Ted Joans. (MLD)