Original figurative painting on stretched canvas by American artist Gayle J. Novak (1951–1998), depicting two wrestlers engaged in a dynamic close-contact pose. The tightly cropped composition emphasizes the movement, strength, and physical interaction of the figures, rendered against a pale yellow background. Signed and dated “Gayle J. Novak 86” along the upper right edge. The reverse is also handwritten with the artist’s name. Measures approximately 32” x 30” overall.
Novak was a Cleveland-born artist who studied painting at Arizona State University, earning her MFA in 1984, and later taught art at ASU. Her career included both figurative and abstract work, and her paintings are represented in several institutional collections, including the Phoenix Art Museum, Tucson Museum of Art, Butler Institute of American Art, and Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. This 1986 figurative work dates to the early portion of her professional career shortly after completing her graduate studies.
Pre-owned vintage condition with age-related wear. The painted surface has scattered marks, light scratches/scuffs, spotting, discoloration, and general surface wear. Additional wear is present along the edges and reverse of the stretched canvas. Unframed.
Please review photos carefully for condition and details. Sold as pictured.