Max Finkelstein (1915-2016) American, Enamel on Aluminum "Hexalum #16." Elaborate honeycomb structure of metal with enamel on top to form images. Title, name, and information written on back. Dated 1980 on back. 

Overall: 39 3/4 x 59 3/4 in.

Sight: 39 x 59 in. 

#3554 . 

American sculptor Max Finkelstein was born in New York City in 1915. From an early age he excelled in areas of math and science, finding work as a welder during the Great Depression. He graduated with honors in 1934 from Baron de Hirsch Trade School in New York City, with a degree as a machinist. From 1935-1965 Finkelstein worked in machine shops in every aspect of the industry, gaining familiarity with many types of metals and plastics. He also worked on product design and the development of mass-produced parts, automated machinery, models, and fabrication. Although wood interested him most at first, in 1954 Finkelstein began experimenting full-time with art, sculpting in his garage studio and beginning to incorporate his welding skills. He pursued this passion further by studying at the California School of Art in Los Angeles, The Kahn Art Institute (LA), UCLA, Los Angeles City College, and the Sculpture Center in NYC. He began his career as an independent artist in 1960, first concentrating on aluminum constructions and then branching out into mixed media sculptures and paintings, and held yearly solo and group exhibitions in the southwest and New York City. His works were so hyper-specific that his artistic life is often broken down into five year increments, as he would grow obsessed with one form, perfect it, then grow bored with it and move on to another. His Hexalums, Kachinas, and Bar Code Series are some of his most sought-after pieces by collectors, each defining a different period in his life. He taught sculpture for a time at the University of Judaism, and his work received awards from the Los Angeles Municipal Gallery, Krannert Art Museum Biennal, University of Illinois, and others. His works are held in several corporate and public collections including the Jewish Museum (NYC), Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He died in Los Angeles in 2016, at the age of 101, survived by three children, ten grandchildren, and countless great-grandchildren.

Commensurate with age.