JOHN LITTLE: HOME AGAIN
June 12 - July 18, 2021
Yaphank, 1964
oil on canvas
75 x 115 inches
This intimate survey of paintings by artist John Little (1907 - 1984) will feature works dating from 1948, the year Little bought Duck Creek Farm. The show was organized by McCormick Gallery, Chicago and Vallarino Fine Arts, New York, who represent the Estate of John Little. A catalog prepared by Thomas McCormick describes in detail Little’s reverence for this beautiful property and the burgeoning art scene on the East End in the 1950’s.
“When John Little first laid eyes on Duck Creek farm it was a far cry from the historic landmark property we see today. In the 1940s Little, who lived in New York City, began visiting Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner at their home on Fireplace Road. One day in 1948, hoping their friend might entertain leaving the city, Krasner took Little to look at a rundown old house with about seven acres on Squaw Road. It must not have been impressive. It was built in either 1795 or 1815 by the Edwards family on a 130 acre tract which the family farmed until 1902. By the time of Krasner and Little’s visit the house was in terrible condition but something must have clicked because Little bought it and immediately set to restoring it. He also bought an old barn from the David Johnson Gardiner farm on James Lane in East Hampton for use as a studio. Black and white photos taken by Jackson Pollock in 1948 record the barn rais- ing for what is today the exhibition and perfor- mance space for the Arts Center at Duck Creek.” Thomas McCormick, 2021
The Estate of John Little is represented and this exhibition organized by: