JOSEPH LOFTON (1923 - 2018)
Music Maker.

Acrylic on cotton canvas, 1985. 1003x1003 mm; 39½x39½ inches. Signed in acrylic, lower left.

Provenance: acquired directly from the artist, private collection, New York (2014).

A Florida native, Joseph Lofton moved to New York City to study fine art from 1948-1954 at the Art Students League and from 1971-72 at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Since his formative period, he was a prolific artist, exhibiting in New York City whilst working in a government job. After retiring, Lofton moved to Richmond, VA, where he opened Le Petit Gallery, and then moved south to Florida, competing in the many shows.

In 1991, Lofton moved to Cuernavaca, Mexico, where he built a studio and gallery. In 2007, he was honored with a solo 50-year retrospective exhibit at the Jardin Borda in Cuernavaca. In December 2007, Lofton was chosen to represent the state of Morelos at the International Festival of the Arts in Campeche. He continued to paint and exhibit until his passing in October of 2018. In 2017, Stella Jones Gallery reintroduced his art to the US market. Bio courtesy of the artist's website.