Signed Mixed Media Collage by Edie Ugich

This item is a contemporary mixed media artwork featuring a vibrant turquoise rectangular element with deckled or hand-torn edges, mounted onto a white textured substrate. A yellowish-gold highlight is visible on the far left edge of the turquoise paper. The work is signed in the lower right margin with 'Aloha n Edie Ugich' in a brown or bronze-toned ink with a cursive hand. The piece is professionally presented with a dual-matting system consisting of a narrow inner apricot or peach-colored border and a larger off-white textured outer mat. The mounting appears to be a 'float' style, adding dimensionality. Condition-wise, the artwork shows minor signs of aging with a small brown foxing spot or blemish on the right-hand side of the peach mat and some light surface dust. The craftsmanship indicates a mid-to-late 20th-century aesthetic, common in Hawaiian or coastal-themed modern art. The deckled edges and layered mounting suggest a high-quality, boutique studio production rather than mass-market printing.

Based on my visual examination of the provided images, this piece appears to be a mixed media collage signed by Edie Ugich, likely dating to the late 20th century. The signature 'Aloha n Edie Ugich' suggests a connection to Hawaii or a coastal theme, consistent with the vibrant turquoise palette and organic, deckled paper edges. The technique involves a float-mounted, handmade paper element on a textured substrate, a style popular in regional galleries catering to tourists and local collectors of 'island contemporary' art. Condition-wise, the work presents generally well, though I noted a distinct area of foxing or discoloration on the inner peach-colored matting. This acidity damage often indicates that the framing materials may not be fully archival, which caps the value. While the artwork itself appears intact, re-matting would be necessary for optimal preservation. Edie Ugich does not appear to have a significant secondary auction market record or blue-chip gallery representation, which places this firmly in the decorative art category rather than investment-grade fine art. Its value is derived primarily from its aesthetic appeal, competent framing presentation, and potential sentimental value as a regional souvenir. Demand for such specific regional decorative works is modest and localized. To fully verify authenticity, I would need to physically inspect the paper quality and the ink application to confirm it is an original hand-signed unique work and not a hand-embellished print. Without provenance or a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from a known gallery, the valuation reflects fair market value for decorative used art.