FLIESLER, Alan (1931-2010)
The Sage. 23.25 x 17.25
Graphite on Paper
Circa 1960

A New York artist, Fliesler was educated at The Cooper Union. His listed work includes graphite on paper, acrylic, oil, and ceramic and wood sculpture. His metre was the anatomical form for the full duration of his career, evolving from the early shadowy, cadaverous, graphite figures in social commentary presentations in the 1960s to vivid and whimsical depictions of imaginary heads of state and fanciful diplomatic conventions. There is some foxing. Please see the last two photos for this detail.

His last published artist’s statement in 2007 read:

“My art is mysterious to me. I rarely know what I am going to draw or paint until I actually do it and see it develop. I simply have an urge to create and let it come out as it will.
Thoughts and emotions that exist within me on an unconscious level emerge, often programmatic, and often a surprise to me. Afterwards I can see what the motivations were.

My works are mostly about the human condition. Sometimes morbid, sometimes humorous, the human race is revealed in all of its journeys into fear, hatred, vanity, anxiety, pomposity, banality, and whimsicality.

I use the human face and body extensively because they the greatest communicative power.
My style is personal and unique, yet its influences are many.”