Michael Bastow (1943) – Happy Birthday Henri | An Erotic Parody Of The Characters From Téléchat
Artist: Michael Bastow (1943)
Michael Bastow (1943) – Happy Birthday Henri | One-of-a-kind ink drawing | Erotic parody of the characters from Téléchat | Dedicated to Henri Xhonneux
Dimensions: 65 x 50 cm
Description:A unique and particularly personal work created by Michael Bastow for his friend Henri Xhonneux, creator and director of the cult TV show Téléchat (1983–1986).
This large ink composition depicts an explicitly erotic and surrealist parody of Téléchat’s two main characters: Groucha, the journalist cat, and Lola, the co-host ostrich.
The two anthropomorphic figures are transformed here into a dynamic and raw scene, in a spirit that is both humorous and grotesque—characteristic of the Parisian art scene of the 1980s.
The sheet bears the handwritten dedication “happy birthday Henri” in the lower left corner. It is signed by the artist in the lower right corner.
The reverse side of the work reveals a complete ghost image of the composition, a sign of heavily applied ink on beautiful hand-made textured paper.
Provenance:Anne de Clippel Collection, Brussels.
Context and friendship between the two artists:
In the 1980s, Michael Bastow moved to Paris and quickly became part of the artistic scene led by Roland Topor and the Téléchat team.
His partner at the time was the sister of Henri Xhonneux’s partner.
The two men socialized and shared the same creative circle. This work, created in a single session, is a private birthday gift—at once playful, irreverent, and deeply personal.
Biography of Michael Bastow:
Michael Bastow was born in 1943 in Bideford, England. As a child, he emigrated with his family to Australia. He studied architecture at the University of Melbourne before working as a production designer in the film industry. From the late 1970s onward, he devoted himself entirely to drawing and painting. Settling in Paris in the early 1980s, he developed a body of work centered on the sensual female nude, which he rendered primarily in pastel and charcoal on high-quality paper.
Close to Roland Topor, he participated in the Parisian art scene of that period while maintaining a personal and intimate body of work. His work is included in several private collections in Europe and Australia.
Technique: Unique work in ink on textured paper (applied with a brush)
Signature: Signed by the artist in the lower right corner + dedication “happy birthday Henri” in the lower left corner
Provenance: Anne de Clippel Collection, Brussels
Condition: Two slight horizontal creases. These will be invisible once framed by you.
Dimensions: 65 x 50 cm
Description:A unique and particularly personal work created by Michael Bastow for his friend Henri Xhonneux, creator and director of the cult TV show Téléchat (1983–1986).
This large ink composition depicts an explicitly erotic and surrealist parody of Téléchat’s two main characters: Groucha, the journalist cat, and Lola, the co-host ostrich.
The two anthropomorphic figures are transformed here into a dynamic and raw scene, in a spirit that is both humorous and grotesque—characteristic of the Parisian art scene of the 1980s.
The sheet bears the handwritten dedication “happy birthday Henri” in the lower left corner. It is signed by the artist in the lower right corner.
The reverse side of the work reveals a complete ghost image of the composition, a sign of heavily applied ink on beautiful hand-made textured paper.
Provenance:Anne de Clippel Collection, Brussels.
Context and friendship between the two artists:
In the 1980s, Michael Bastow moved to Paris and quickly became part of the artistic scene led by Roland Topor and the Téléchat team.
His partner at the time was the sister of Henri Xhonneux’s partner.
The two men socialized and shared the same creative circle. This work, created in a single session, is a private birthday gift—at once playful, irreverent, and deeply personal.
Biography of Michael Bastow:
Michael Bastow was born in 1943 in Bideford, England. As a child, he emigrated with his family to Australia. He studied architecture at the University of Melbourne before working as a production designer in the film industry. From the late 1970s onward, he devoted himself entirely to drawing and painting. Settling in Paris in the early 1980s, he developed a body of work centered on the sensual female nude, which he rendered primarily in pastel and charcoal on high-quality paper.
Close to Roland Topor, he participated in the Parisian art scene of that period while maintaining a personal and intimate body of work. His work is included in several private collections in Europe and Australia.
Technique: Unique work in ink on textured paper (applied with a brush)
Signature: Signed by the artist in the lower right corner + dedication “happy birthday Henri” in the lower left corner
Provenance: Anne de Clippel Collection, Brussels
Condition: Two slight horizontal creases. These will be invisible once framed by you.
650 €
Period: 20th century
Style: Modern Art
Condition: Good condition
Material: Paper
Width: 50
Height: 65
Reference (ID): 1779374
Availability: In stock
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