The expressive figurative works of renowned American painter Leon Golub address themes of oppression, violence, and the misuse of power. Golub is perhaps best known for his 1970s and 80s political paintings focusing on the Vietnam War, American foreign policy, and paramilitary operations in South Africa and Latin America. The monumental canvas Riot III is from one of Golub’s most celebrated series of paintings, in which Golub exposes the oppression and carnal treatment that arises from urban unrest.
Born in Chicago, Leon Golub (1922-2004) received critical attention for his raw, gritty, and emotionally immediate style. He participated in the “Monster Roster,” a group of figurative artists who stood against the prevalence of Abstraction in post-War painting. Leon Golub’s work was included in Documenta XI in Kassel, Germany; solo exhibitions include The Drawing Center, New York NY (2010); The Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York NY (2001); The Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, Ireland (2000); Museum of Fine Arts, Boston MA (1984); Institute of Contemporary Art, London, England (1982); Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago IL (1974); among others. His survey exhibition "Bite Your Tongue" was recently held at Serpentine Galleries, London, UK (March 4 - May 17, 2015).
