1. Jeremi CA, Tunnel Vortex, 2020
30.5.20
29.5.20
What's new at Saatchi this week?
1. Eugene Soloviev, The Line Additional, Russia
2. Marshmallow Clouds, Ann Marie Coolick, US
3. Oasis, Elizabeth Lennie, Canada
4. Somnium No.2, Series IV, Mario Henrique, Portugal
5. Untitled No.347, Patrick Gonzalez, France
6. Venice 198, Agostino Veroni, Italy
28.5.20
The Chilean art fair Ch.ACO is back for its 11th year
Ch.ACO is an art fair devoted to displaying distinctly Chilean artists and art both regionally and internationally. This year the fair managed to showcase formidable talent. Here below are some of my favourites:
1. Jaime Alvarado, Colour wave, 2019
27.5.20
Nesting Tables by Franck Evennou
These nesting tables are a classic. Made by Franck Evennon and found via Maison Claire Maison they are a product of true craftsmanship.
26.5.20
René Gruau Designs Rugs for Amini Italy
I love the simplicity of this rug as well as the colours. The design clearly reflects René Gruau's style of illustration. You can see one more rug at Amini here.
21.5.20
19.5.20
Playing Musical Notes with Artist Caio Fonseca
American born artist Caio Fonseca spends his time between New York and Petrasanta, Italy. He honed his craft in Europe during his twenties and he can now enjoy quiet success in his home town. The key to understanding his work is to see the layering technique he has perfected over the years. Layers upon layers, his abstract forms play like musical notes between foreground and background. This sort of hide and seek approach is enriched by the sum of colour which he introduces to his art. From far away you cannot tell what is painted first. Upon inspection you can see the amount of time and energy he devotes to his craft and especially to choosing and mixing his colours. His technique is similar to Jeffrey Gibson's earlier work who used layering and subtraction to arrive at his work's completion. But ultimately Caio Fonseca's artwork is most similar to itself. His colour scheme and forms seem like they could dance from one painting to the next. At best they are viewed together although alone they make for an impressive feat.
1. Pietrasanta C09.21
17.5.20
16.5.20
14.5.20
13.5.20
12.5.20
The Incredible Talent of Zimbabwean Artist Portia Zvavahera
Portia Zvavahera was born in 1985 in Juru, Zimbabwe. Now based in Harare, the artist has held residencies in India, England, South Africa, as well as her home town. Ms. Zvavahera has also represented Zimbabwe at the 55th Venice Biennale. One can only imagine how much more we will see of her talents. Her work is beautiful and her imagery vivid. She doesn't compromise with colour. Instead she uses it to her advantage pointing out the delicateness of her figures. Nothing is as clear as it seems even in the paintings which exude a brilliant colour scheme. Figures appear with wings, while some others in white dresses. Her style of painting is bold and confident, striking even. One wishes to know more about her, her work, as well as Zimbabwe. But much remains to be deciphered. The media-shy artist doesn't reveal too much. The figures with wings suggest a spiritual side of her work. While other subjects are not as clear. You can only guess by the titles that not all of her work has a positive spin. Ms. Zavavahera has solidified her place as an artist to reckon with and we can only wait and see what else she has in store for her audience. She is represented by Stevenson Gallery in South Africa.
1. Gliding on My Knees to Heaven, 2019
11.5.20
The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, to be held in New York this year, is another art fair that was held online because of the circumstances affecting the world. Despite these dire times nothing could take away from how good it was. The number “54” in the fair’s name refers to the number of countries that constitute the continent of Africa, a landmass roughly the size of China, India, the United States, and much of Europe put together"(artsy.net). The aim of the fair is to showcase, "contemporary African art and art related to the African diaspora"(artsy.net). Comprising 25 galleries including ones from Martinique, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda as well as others, the fair was exceptional. The bold use of colour and contrasting imagery immediately takes the viewer to another realm. Take a look for yourself and you will see what I mean.
1. Prince Gyasi, Hope Child II, 2019
10.5.20
9.5.20
arteBA: Part Two
While going through the arteBA art fair I collected more artworks than I expected. Hence, the reason I created two posts.This second half is more eclectic than the first but I liked the variety of the subject matter in these works. I think they contrast well and speak to the stature of Latin American and especially Argentinian art which has a large representation here.
1. Eduardo Seron, En el vacío radiante, 2007
8.5.20
arteBA: Part One
The arteBA art fair was founded in 1991 with the vision to bring together Argentine and Latin American art to the forefront of the art market. While it has achieved great success in its promotion of its Argentinian artists it has also put a spotlight on other Latin American artists who may not have accomplished such exposure previously or on their own. This year the fair was held online exclusively much to the disappointment of many. However, nothing could take away from the breadth of talent on display. When you consider the works below, you will see how far the art fair has come along.
1. Ricardo Oliva, Abundante silencio, 2019
2. Gastón Delego, Untitled, 2020
3. Andres Waissman, Untitled, 2019 (2)
7.5.20
Art Fair Picks
Artworks at art fairs are culturally rich and diverse and from that standpoint they are worth looking at juxtaposed against one another. While you can scroll through countless of works from a gallery's selections it is worth separating them and curating against one another. You'll see differences that you might not otherwise see. Below is a grouping of art which I have put together, each one, I believe, shows off something unique when placed together. What you see is more dissimilar rather than the same, but each work stands strong alone as well as a group.
1. Li Shan, Reading, 2019
6.5.20
Quick Introduction to Saatchi Art and Its Curators
Saatchi Art has an inordinate amount of artwork to browse. Luckily, it employs several curators who make life easier for those of us who are curious about art but not crazy about its volume. Each week Rebecca Wilson who is the chief curator presents a select group of works with another colleague. For this post, Aurora Garrison, together with Ms. Wilson, put together several works, some of which really stood out from the rest. Whether it's a glacier by the beach to make us feel the onset of dramatic global warming or a nude sculpture that looks too real to imagine each one has an impact beyond itself. All works are unique and I have selected them to show the breadth of talent at Saatchi.
2. Serene Seated Nude by Jack Gibson - selected by Rebecca Wilson
5.5.20
Fine Art Prints from the Dutch artist behind LouLou Avenue
Liv Ann van der Laan is the artist behind Loulou Avenue. Her work appears effortless, even without much thought, were it it not for the fact that it is beautiful in its simplicity. She renders the female profile with ease of movement and smooth lines. There appears no second guessing in her artwork. She seems to decide quickly and confidently with her brushwork. Her work, while available directly through her site, is also found on several online shops.
1.
4.5.20
Art Picks from the Past Year
1. David Schluss, Aspen
2. Calman Shemi, Jazz in New York,
3. Cheryl Ann Thomas, Artifact 3, 2018
3.5.20
Finding Your Way Through an Art Fair
There's an inordinate amount of art fairs to make your way through if you're willing. And you never know who you might stumble upon.There are new artists every time and each one is worthy of more attention.The following is a grouping of some of my favourite finds over the past year or so. Don't be surprised if you see more from them in the future.
1. Duke Asidere, Send me some money, 2016
2. Ali Hassan, Saddle 3, 2019
3. B. Thom Stevenson, Africa, 2015
4. David Thuku, Series, Empty Seats, Untitled V, 2019
5. Lakin Ogunbanwo, Not So Sorry, 2016
6. Portia Zvavahera, Robel Temesgen, Untitled, 2017
7. Uknown African, Ivorian Senufo Sculpture, Early 20th Century
8. Herb Ritts, Darati - Profile, Africa, 1993
9. Tony Gum, uTwiggy II, 2015
10. Caroline Benchetrit, Across the Universe, 2013
11. Greta Guzek, Core Values, 2018
12. Alden Mason, Where's Africa, 2005
13. Craig Alan, Flores de los suonos, 2019
14. Duncan Wylie, Dancer, 2018
15. Eyerusalem Adugna Jiregna, The City of Saints IV, 2017
16. Joseph Klibansky, Heavenly England, 2014
17. Méné, Bleu passion, 2018
18. Pieter Hugo, The Asylum Seeker, Hermosillo, 2019
19. Robel Temesgen, Untitled, 2017
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