Early Work,
Mid 50s – Mid 60s:
Abstract Expressionism

Ekstrom began his career under no mistakable terms as an Abstract Expressionist; he was in the right place and the right time, a young adult in post World war II America. “New York Art School”, the titled one of his first major paintings is direct reference to Abstract Expressionism as the two terms are one in the same. Headed by the likes of Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothco, large scale sweeping gestural swathes of paint are characteristic of the movement. For the next several years he continues in this style.  Biomorphic shapes and organic forms giving his composition weight and structure are Ekstrom’s unique contribution to the movement.

#261, 60″x45″ masonite

#7, 51’x64″

#47, 48″x58″

#45, 57″sq.

#46, 45″x57″

#8, 63″ sq.

#Z-26, approx. 60″sq.

#Z-5, “New York School” 1954, approx. 64″x80″.

#233, 48″x60″ masonite

#252, 36″x48″ masonite

#247, 30″x48″

#238, 48″x60″ masonite

#60, approx. 18″x24″

#14, 48″x82″

#E, 30″x36″

#249, 36″x48″

#262, masonite, 45″x60″

#5, 51″x77″

#3, 63″sq

#260, 45″x60″ masonite

#250, 28″42.5″masonite

#246, 30″x45″ masonite

#245, 40″x36″

# 244, 36″x40″ masonite

#243, 40″x36″ masonite

#242, approx30″x48″

#261, 60″x45″ masonite

#55, 28″x38″ masonite

#239, 30″x48″ masonite

#240, 32″x44″ masonite

#104, 31″x41″ masonite

#236, 48″x60″ masonite

#232, 30″x60″ masonite

#231, 30″x60″ masonite

#231, 30″x60″ masonite

#109, 24″x36″ masonite

#109, 24″x36″ masonite

#241, 48″x30″

#237, 60″x48″masonite

#52′ 36″x40″ (42″x48″ w/frame)

#Z-28, approx. 48″x30″

#Z-31, masonite, approx. 24″x48″,

#Z-29, approx. 30″x48″, masonite

#P-4, max 200″ sq.

#P-3, max 20″sq.

#P-2 “fungus”, max 200″sq.

#P-6, max 200″sq.