Patrick Webb has painted for more than 50 years. He holds a BFA from MICA and an MFA from Yale, and attended Skowhegan.
Since 1990 his paintings have followed Punchinello, the Commedia dell'Arte clown, as a stand-in for himself. He is a Guggenheim Fellow, and the Leslie-Lohman Museum owns a large version of his painting Toast.
Falling Armenians, an installation of about 50 of his canvases, is on view in Brooklyn through November 1, 2026.
My paintings since 1990 have represented the experiences of a contemporary version of the Commedia dell'Arte figure Punchinello—an American cousin to the famous Italian clown. I first came across him in the paintings and drawings of G.D. Tiepolo and was immediately attracted to him. His phallic red nose and white hat intrigued me. Here was a character who was both individual and anonymous. He is repeatable and yet different. He is both ridiculous and heroic. He became I and not I –an everygayman whose experiences I could explore in single and sequential canvasses.
Patrick Webb
October 7–10, 2026 · Booth 2034, theMART
2011 · Oil on canvas · 14 × 11 in · 16 × 13 in framed
2004 · Oil on canvas · 12 × 9 in · 14 × 11 in framed
2016 · Oil on canvas · 20 × 13.5 in · 22 × 15.5 in framed
2016 · Oil on canvas · 20 × 13.5 in · 22 × 15.5 in framed
2021 · Oil on canvas · 16 × 14 in · 18 × 16 in framed
2009 · Oil on canvas · 12 × 9 in · 13.25 × 10.12 in framed
2004 · Oil on canvas · 12 × 9 in · 14 × 11 in framed
Questions about a work, or looking for something specific? Call or text me at +1 917 575 9047, or email a@collectivez.com. I'm happy to hold any work for you.
Alex Z. Wang, Director, Collective Z