In a masterclass of composition, form, and colour, Jack Bush’s ‘Sash’ format is his most iconic motif. A focal point of his efforts from 1963 to 1966, the format came to fruition from seeing a sash tied around the waist of a store-front mannequin. Unlike many works from the 1960s, such as Centre 3 which focused on pastel tones, this Sash takes on a bolder approach. A pattern of deep brown and striking red is met with a vibrant green, creating a strong yet balanced composition. In the year that this work was executed, Bush wrote in his diary that we would like to “come up with a show that goes pow! pow! pow!” Brown, Red, Green exhibits Bush in full stride, pursuing an artistic language unique to him and helped forge his path to becoming one of Canada’s most celebrated painters.

The work is included in Dr. Sarah Stanner’s Jack Bush Paintings: A Catalogue Raisonné.