Xavier ORIACH (b. 1927) Owl, 1989 Mixed media on canvas. Signed lower right. Signed, dated and titled on back. 33 x 41 cm Provenance : Galerie Antoinette Jean, Paris (stamp on back). A native of the Massif Central, Xavier Oriach spent his youth between Sabadell and Barcelona. He met Antoni Clavé, Tàpies, Chillida, Parra, Palazuelo and Baltasar Lobo in Catalonia and Paris, and had his first exhibition at Galerie Breteau in 1953. He joined the Nouvelle École de Paris, taking part in group shows at the Salon Réalités nouvelles and the Salon de Mai. When he moved to Jouy-sur-Eure (Normandy), he set up an art center where he also presented the work of his friends Tal Coat, Ubac, Tàpies and others.