Per Diem: The Gerd Metzdorff Collection
February 4 to August 21, 2022
Curated by Lisa Baldissera
Ranging from drawing, painting, photography, installation and sculpture, Gerd Metzdorff’s collection was drawn together over a period of more than forty years. Originally derived from Metzdorff’s modest savings of the per diems provided to him by the airline where he was employed as a steward, he purchased work by some of the most important European and Canadian artists working today, often starting at the beginning of their careers and developing lifelong friendships with them. The collection is presented to the public for the first time at Griffin Art Projects. With the passing of this enigmatic and remarkable Vancouver-based collector who collected art beginning in the 1970s, and with more than 200 works to choose from, this stunning collection features luminaries such as Linda Benglis, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman and numerous others.
Robert Rasuchenberg, Untitled, 1977, Handmade paper, 18” x 17¾“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Jason McLean, Pennies in a Stream, 2001, Mixed media on paper, 73” x 47”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Dan Graham, Parking Lot-Messe Hannover, 2003, Photography on paper, 23⅝“ x 18”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Ian Wallance, At Works (of Gallery), 1983, Photography print on paper, 25⅛“ x 16¾“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Tim Barber, Dumpster, 2003, Photograph print trans-mounted on aluminum, 60” x 40”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. George Stoll, Ivory Soap, 1997, Yumei Juan silk wrapped over painted pine with wall shelf, 5½“ x 8⅝“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Alan Saret, Untitled, from 7 Objects, 1969, Processed nylon net, multiple colour with original black box, 12⅜ “ x 23”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Robert Rasuchenberg, Untitled, 1977, Handmade paper, 18” x 17¾“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Jeff Koons, Red Dog on a Plate. Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography.
Roy Lichtenstein, That My Ship was Below Them, 1992, 21½“ x 26½“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Andy Warhol, Self Portrait, Invitation print on paper, 32” x 32”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Judy Pfaff, 57” x 17” 27”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Andy Warhol, Mao Tse Tung, 1972, Silkscreen print on paper, 36” x 36”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lynda Benglis, Fanfarinade, 1979, Brass wire mesh, plaster, gesso, oil based size, gold leaf, 36” x 21” 3¼“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography.
Robert Rauschenberg, LA Sprawl, 1972, Graphite on paper, 24½“ x 29”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Ken Lum, Untitled, 1987, Pencil drawing on paper, 29” x 24¼“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lee Bontecou, Tenth Stone, Lithography, 27” x 47”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lee Ufan, Untitled, 1972, Lithography, 28¾“ x 21¾“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lee Ufan, Untitled, 1972, Lithography, 28¾“ x 21¾“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lynda Benglis, Alpha, 1984, Sand cast glass, wire mesh, 8” x 8” x 8”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Jeff Koons, Hair, 2000, High gloss Fujiflex print, 24.02” x 33.86”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Jeff Koons, Cutout, 2000, High gloss Fujiflex print, 24.02” x 33.86”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Jeff Koons, Loopy, 2000, High gloss Fujiflex print, 24.02” x 33.86”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lynda Benglis, Pani Rang, 1981, Watercolor and woodblock stamping on handmade Gandhi Ashram paper, 25” x 35½“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Louise Bourgeois, Couples, 2001, Print on paper lithography, 26” x 44½“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography.
Grant Mann, Water Rendered Art Piece, 2003, Utilizing PC hardware and software, modeled from a math equation using 3DSMax, 39¾“ x 21¾“, Courtesy of the artist. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Ed Ruscha, Open - From Tropical Fish Series, 1974, Print on paper, 32¾“ x 25¾“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Andreas Gursky, Giordiano Bruno, 1989, Photograph on photo paper, 23⅝“ x 18”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Richard Artschwager, DW-12, 1995, wood and metal and screws, 49” x 15” x 15”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Ian Wallace, In the Street, Cologne Series III, 1989 (reprinted 2005), Photolaminate, acrylic, and monoprint on canvas, 2 panels each 60” x 80”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Tony Tasset, Bench Progression, 1987, Medite, leather, paint, 18” x 20” x 108”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Ben Reeves, Tower of Babel (Study), 2010, Drawing on canvas, 46½“ x 58”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Robert Rauschenberg, Scow (Fuses), 1973, Screenprint on tissue paper on handmade color paper with plexiglass stand, 20” x 25”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Judith Shea, Very Far East - 1, 1980, 15½“ x 46”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography.
Russell Crotty, M37 Galactic Cluster in Aurigo, 2000, Graphite on paper laid on lucite, 24” diameter with 4’ drop extension, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Robert Rauschenberg, LA Sprawl, 1972, Graphite on paper, 24½“ x 29”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Ken Lum, Untitled, 1987, Pencil drawing on paper, 29” x 24¼“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lee Bontecou, Tenth Stone, Lithography, 27” x 47”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lee Ufan, Untitled, 1972, Lithography, 28¾“ x 21¾“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lee Ufan, Untitled, 1972, Lithography, 28¾“ x 21¾“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Jeff Koons, Hair, 2000, High gloss Fujiflex print, 24.02” x 33.86”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Jeff Koons, Cutout, 2000, High gloss Fujiflex print, 24.02” x 33.86”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Jeff Koons, Loopy, 2000, High gloss Fujiflex print, 24.02” x 33.86”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Roy Lichtenstein, Study for Red Lamp, 1992, Print on paper, edition 29/250, 33¼“ x 31¼“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Andy Warhol, Ticket-Film Festival-Lincoln Centre, 1967, Color screenprint on paper, 24¼“ x 45½“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Andy Warhol, Cow, 1966, Screenprint on wallpaper, 46” x 30”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lynda Benglis, Pani Rang, 1981, Watercolor and woodblock stamping on handmade Gandhi Ashram paper, 25” x 35½“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Louise Bourgeois, Couples, 2001, Print on paper lithography, 26” x 44½“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Lynda Benglis, Alpha, 1984, Sand cast glass, wire mesh, 8” x 8” x 8”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Christopher Wool, Untitled, 1988, Alkyd on paper, 26” x 40”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Christopher Wool, Untitled, 1991, Lithography on paper, 31½“ x 47”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Andy Warhol, Electric Chair, 1974, Silkscreen on paper, 51¼“ x 39”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography Roy Lichtenstein, That My Ship was Below Them, 1992, 21½“ x 26½“, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Andy Warhol, Self Portrait, Invitation print on paper, 32” x 32”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography. Judy Pfaff, 57” x 17” 27”, Collection of Grant Mann and David Birdsall. Photo by Rachael Topham Photography.