Mars Piece by Thomas Akawie California Realism 1970

Mars Piece by Thomas Akawie California Realism 1970

Airbrush on Resin, Vacuum-Formed,
A rare 1970s piece by Thomas Akawie, created using airbrush on resin formed with a vacuum machine. This work was produced while Akawie was active in a vibrant circle of artists exploring the emerging style now known as California Realism. Akawie, along with contemporaries such as Vija Clemens, developed a virtuosity in airbrush technique that pushed the boundaries of realism and abstraction.
This piece is believed to have originated from a NASA-related project during the 1970s and reflects Akawie's precision and visionary style.
Notable Recognition:
Whitney Biennial Fellow
About the Artist:
Thomas Frank Akawie (1935–2019) was a highly regarded American artist and educator. Born in New York City, he later moved to California, graduating from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in 1959 and an M.A. in 1963. He taught at UC Berkeley, Cal State Los Angeles, and was a longtime professor at the San Francisco Art Institute (1966–1999).
According to Art in the San Francisco Bay Area: 1945–1980 by Thomas Albright, Akawie began with Abstract Expressionism and evolved into intricate airbrushed works combining architectural symmetry, mystical imagery, and later, Photo Realism. His subjects ranged from visionary landscapes to esoteric symbolism drawn from Tarot, astrology, and ancient cultures.
Selected Exhibitions:
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Whitney Museum of American Art, NY
Oakland Museum of California
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
San Jose Museum of Art
Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia
Denver Art Museum
De Young Museum, San Francisco
Akawie's work is included in numerous private and public collections and he is widely recognized as a pioneer of airbrush painting in American fine art.