Lithograph, 1980, on Barcham Green Crisbrook paper, with the artist's estate stamp as issued, numbered from the edition of 50 (there were also eleven artist's proofs), published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, 1981, with their blindstamps and ink stamp on the reverse, 50.2 x 75.6 cm. (19¾ x 29¾ in.)


 ‘Pile Up’ was one of Guston’s final works before his death in 1980. Guston was often known to switch between abstraction and figuration and this work exemplifies the merging of these two movements. The abstract influences are felt in the composition, but hints of figuration emerge in the bottom left of the piece with the horseshoe. This lithograph entices us into Guston’s world of a balance between tangible reality and the mystical Abstract Expressionism he is famous for. Guston passed away during the finalising of this edition, resulting in Gemini G.E.L. having to posthumously publish it in 1981.


 The Tate Modern, The Art Institute of Chicago and The Philadelphia Museum of Art all have an edition of ‘Pile Up’ in their permanent collection, heralding the significance of Guston’s work in American Art History and the Abstract Expressionism movement.