‘SURPRISE PRIZE’: CAROLINE WELLS CHANDLER, NICK PAYNE & JAMES ULMER
GREENPOINT TERMINAL GALLERY – up thru NOV 28, 2015
nail in the coffin !!
nails it !!
if you could write art reviews in emojis . . . this would be it:
JAMES ULMER, detail, ‘Black, White, Red’, 2015
CAROLINE WELLS CHANDLER, detail, ‘Friends 4VR: Lil Dennis’, 2015
NICK PAYNE, detail, ‘Storyteller’, 2015
PHOTOS & CROPPING: NANCY SMITH
‘SURPRISE PRIZE’ . . . CAROLINE WELLS CHANDLER, NICK PAYNE & JAMES ULMER
opened: FRI OCT 23, 2015
the show runs thru NOV 28, 2015
GREENPOINT TERMINAL GALLERY – 67 WEST St. #320 – GREENPOINT. BROOKLYN, NYC.
CAUGHT MANY, GREAT PIX – FROM THE SUPER FUN !! OPENING . . . !!
JAMES ULMER, NICK PAYNE, and CAROLINE WELLS CHANDLER . .
this super ‘anti-hero’ trio, hits a bona-fide . . . home run !!
BRIAN WILLMONT opened a Pandora’s Box – with this show.
3 really diverse artists – hitting the most divergent sweet spots – and blowing up !!
in a funny visual, musical chairs . . . curatorial game of: who am I, and what’s my world . . .
touching on human communication in the digital age, self-awareness, self-expression, bio codes, bio behavior codes, bio gender codes. avatars, icons, glyphs. neo-glyphs, and one-touch emojies !!
an on-going inter-active list of questions, passions, and . . warning.
TAYLOR McKIMENS made the opening, fresh off his success with . . ‘STOIC YOUTH’ iconic heads, no bodies !! / could be glyphs ?
JOE GRILLO . . a walking one man enigma . . emoji !!
his show ‘#%@&?!!!’ – is currently up at THE HOLE.
fracturing the unconscious and turning the ‘glyph’ into a multi-faceted mirror !!
there is no ONE man, here.
which is to say, maybe there is – and he’s an outsider ????
tell me about it.
DREW GILLESPIE on the right, with LINDSAY.
I first encountered Drew at the very first BOBO, the now defunct Philly art band, performance in NYC. just backed into it. will never forgot the night, thought fer sure the old wooden floors of the forgotten dive bar on the Lower East Side, were going to give way any moment, what with the mad, throbbing, thrashing jumping crowd. the 3 person band were all dressed as . . newspaper boys !!
you can catch up with Drew, now NYC-based, at CONNOTATION CHUMP !!
JUSTIN SAMSON has also moved back from . . PHILLY, and has been Brooklyn-based for a while, now.
wonder what happened, to PETE . . his old roommate ?
ANTOINE KONST. with a big event happening in Paris this upcoming December 2015.
the newest wave of Young Turks, were on hand as well.
CHRIS WATTS, another Young Turk. this is what happens . . in the ‘no photo zone’ !!
so, don’t listen to Nicholas Steindorf, unless you want to come across as a street artist !!!!
just joking !!
my old apple keyboard don’t have single stroke emojis – damn !!
and yes, that is in essence, what this show is talking about, expression – in short hand !!
PIPPA DRUMMOND, photographer from New Zealand, and now Brooklyn-based.
PIPPA DRUMMOND just returned from back home, down under . . where she had a big photo-based piece in the recent, big ART DEGO project there.
she showed me some of her images – on her iPhone.
and in fact,
that is also what this show is talking about:
SURPRISE: this is who I am, this is what I do.
JAMES ULMER, ‘Black, White, Red’, 2015.
acrylic on canvas, 65 x 65 in.
($9,000)
detail, JAMES ULMER, ‘Black, White, Red’.
boys are such puppies, these days, and James !! that is NOT a DISS !!
S.O.S. vs James Brown era.
detail, JAMES ULMER, ‘Black, White, Red’.
an emoji keyboard ?
an ‘inner life’ status – short-coded map ? a game of rapid chess ?
glyph code for: status unknown, if not downright: S.O.S. ??!!
detail, JAMES ULMER, ‘Black, White, Red’.
one got the feeling this was a distinctly . . . male world ??
an existential. . man cave ?
the Greek drama of life – reduced to a short list of 3 basic & bold colors . . . a comic book genre – gone expressionistic.
taking my temperature, as the world turns, and tossing ya – a ‘sign’, a smoke signal.
a 9 square glyph grid ?!!
you know, almost Egyptian . . . !!
JAMES ULMER, ‘I Feel Good About Myself’, 2015
acrylic on canvas, 32 x 40 in.
($5,500)
so, can you see how this black, white and red – road map is . . happier ?
in expression. still very introverted, no (obvious) women, or children ? bio-speaking-wise. vs James Brown . . ‘it’s a man’s world … but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl’ ???
or: why write a novel, when you can lay it out, in 6 easy steps. hieroglyphs.
the beginning, and end .. of language ?
detail, JAMES ULMER, ‘I Feel Good about Myself’
but, it’s sill a . . . man’s world.
listen up, James Brown.
CAROLINE WELLS CHANDLER, ‘She Wore Blue Velvet’, 2015.
hand crocheted assorted fibers, 67 x 68.5 in.
($6,000)
by contrast, Caroline Wells Chandler’s work was all about: gender bender.
cut-out shapes vs the stretched canvas square. multi-colored soft fibers vs hard surface acrylic primary color paint. thematically, it was about ‘dancing’ on the edge vs ‘looking inward’.
but: it was still – all about the glyph, the basic symbols that tell . . a story, in short bursts. our story. vs history.
now, that’s a . . head shot. all warm, and fuzzy, yes it’s a glyph, one that has gone from detached, to . . . all intense with (human) emotion.
a bio-bearing encoded . . animated popular media cartoon character.
go figure, it’s way too complex & vast a subject – for these brief notes.
I was really glad I went to see this show in person, just for the opportunity it afforded to get to see the real ‘gist’ technically – of Caroline Wells Chandler’s work.
pictorial, photographic images alone don’t do it. there is real hard-core skill-set to how the fibers are handled. very consistent, tight. almost more like clay or metal sculpture, or even hard-molded plastic. the surface dynamic is very honed, as opposed to the easy ‘gait’ of . . ‘crafts’. in these pieces, DIY that has most definitely crossed-over – into the ‘artist’ zone.
on the left: CAROLINE WELLS CHANDLER, ‘Super Painter Impersonator’, 2015.
hand crocheted assorted fibers, 31 x 33.5 in.
($4,000)
detail, CAROLINE WELLS CHANDLER, ‘Super Painter Impersonator’.
this iconic Superman logo was exceptionally well done.
was this – the very first: emoji ?
super hero glyph. a brand-ing.
it was also speaking to how comic book artists really inspired us, and influenced the course of our culture.
CAROLINE WELLS CHANDLER, ‘Friends 4VR: Lil Dennis’, 2015 and, ‘Friends 4VR: Lil Kim’, 2015.
hand crocheted assorted wool, each: 30 x 21 in.
($1,800 ea)
like I said . . dancing on the edge. the male / female conundrum. the snake that eats its head.
catch me . . if you can.
define me . . if you can.
particularly liked the subtle technical skill in this rendering . . the part where the yellow section – is over-worked, over-stitched: to bring the temple of the head, to life. to model it, make it more 3-D, less flat. but still very much on that . . sharp flat plane.
NICK PAYNE, ‘Having a Baby That’s Having a baby, That’s Pregnant’, 2015.
pastel on paper, 24 x 18 in.
so if, James Ulmer is all about . . simple locked-down primary code, for taking the internal temperature of a ‘man’s world’, and Caroline Wells Chandler is all about the gender bender dance, well I guess NICK PAYNE is .. BIBLICAL ?!!
the great drama, life-force, confusion, outta control, shape-shifting, messy. organic cell splitting world. free-form, wild pastel drawing. gestural, but not bold. per se. not flat.
‘in motion’ . . might be the way to say it. splitting cells. with atomic force.
James Ulmer is defining his world, in as much as he can contain the variables (!!) in a very straight-forward, albeit expression-istic & primal black and white, and (passionate) red way. he’s observing. he’s locking it – down.
Caroline Wells Chandler is skipping rope between the sexes. and the stereotypes of both the social, and the external world.
and how that defines us, if we let ’em !!
and Nick ?
well, Nick . . is just off the wall !!
caught up in the lust and confusion of the outer forces of the eternal war of the human bio cells, I mean . . sexes !!
SO, in this strange trio which is the surprise . . prize ?
I think it all depends on which corner you’re sitting in. you might think it’s Nick. but actually from James and Caroline’s point of view – he might just represent . . the status quo !!
and so it goes, round and round, the room.
ps: NICK PAYNE was a member of BOBO, too. well I remember him from that night too. he had ashes all over his face, you know: poor boy !! and a newsie cap on.
NICK PAYNE, ‘Sorry, Still Not Good Enough’, 2015.
pastel on paper, 24 x 18 in.
NICK PAYNE, ‘Storyteller’, 2015.
pastel on paper, 24 x 18 in.
detail, NICK PAYNE, ‘Storyteller’.
and, with a nod to TAYLOR McKIMENS – it’s still about . . . HEADS !!!!!
I mean all 3 artists, here are about . . portraiture !!
imaginary bio – portraiture.
as opposed to landscape, or abstract gestures, or patterns, or color field, or even graphic retro signage.
NICK PAYNE, ‘Cocktail Hour’, 2015.
watercolor on paper. 24 x 18 in.
NICK PAYNE, ‘Creaky Door’, 2015.
pastel on paper, 18 x 24 in.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
TAYLOR McKIMENS . . . went to the next level – with this show of heads only !!
to celebrate, there was a closing ‘party’ & catalog signing – on WED OCT 14, 2015
TAYLOR McKIMENS – STOIC YOUTH
SEPT 12 – OCT 11, 2015
THE HOLE, 312 BOWERY, LOWER EAST SIDE, NYC
TAYLOR McKIMENS greets guests at the show’s extended closing, and catalog signing.
Taylor’s . . ‘baggies’ of supplies: pens, sharpies, etc
Taylor made sheets of decals, or sticker labels, with drawings on them – to insert into the front of each catalog.
each decal was about 4 x 5 in.
the catalog itself was small – 6 x 7-1/2 in. – kinda ‘pocket-sized’, in terms of traditional exhibition productions, but drop dead gorgeous, to the very last drip. I mean drop !!
chock-full of full color images . . very very EXCITING, to hold, handle & . . behold !!
well worth the $15, whether signed or not, go get yourself one, or order one – for sure !!
REN KELLY (in red), and her sis . . ALIX ANGJELI at the closing party.
BRIAN WILLMONT, artist & founder of GREENPOINT TERMINAL GALLERY . . with an opening to-night !!
bye the way.
KEEGAN McHARGUE, had work at GREENPOINT TERMINAL, this past winter 2015.
SAM KELLER, LANCE DE LOS REYES and MARGOT BIRD.
JOE GRILLO, is the big show at THE HOLE, this month, opened this past Wed.
TAYLOR McKIMENS, ‘On a Roll’, 2015
Acrylic, flashe and acryla-gouache on canvas, 80 x 60 in.
(($18,000)
Taylor is all about: swirling color, drips, drops, eyes and mouths – right down to the eyeball pupils, and the teeth !!
and, oh yeah: the dynamic / funny . . faux ‘engraving’ lines – for 3D modelling !!
the narrative cartoon / comic book character of his earlier works – has receded, a bit.
TAYLOR McKIMENS, ‘Can You Feel It?’, 2015
Acrylic, flashe and acryla-gouache on canvas, 24 x 16 in.
($4,500)
detail /close-up
TAYLOR McKIMENS, ‘Golden’, 2015.
Acrylic, flashe and acryla-gouache on canvas, 14 x 11 in.
($3,000)
TAYLOR McKIMENS, ‘Silver Lining’, 2015.
Acrylic, flashe and acryla-gouuuache on panel, 150 x 98 in.
($35,000)
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
LANCE DE LOS REYES on . . JIMMY KIMMEL ?
well, his art – is !!
for – real !!
LANCE was commissioned to paint a wall, in his signature style – for the JIMMY KIMMEL stage set.
it makes its first appearance on the talk show tonight – Tues Oct 20, 2015
LANCE DE LOS REYES, JOE GRILLO, and BAST . .
at the TAYLOR McKIMENS closing party & catalog signing, at THE HOLE. Wed Oct 14, 2015.
JOE GRILLO opens a show of his new work at THE HOLE, 312 Bowery . .
tomorrow Wed Oct 21, 2015 / 6-9 PM
LANCE showed me the JIMMY KIMMEL wall, on his phone !!
looking . . . good !!
better than good, super !! dramatic !! lights, camera, action !!
go Lance !!
off the billboards & onto the mainstream sets !!
quelle journey.
WOW !! and it’s a super hot show to-nite !! JAY Z !! . . . and, DONALD TRUMP, lol.
can you just imagine . . Lance’s wall behind Donald Trump !!?
I leave it – to your imagination.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
OMG – THIS IS A . . . LOVE LETTER !!
that’s blowing everybody – away !!
BRANDON JOHNSON and WALTER ROBINSON . . .
at the launch of ZINGMAGAZINE #24 – which includes a special book project, ‘FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD’ – ‘PERSPECTIVES ON THE LIFE AND WORK OF DAN ASHER’ – BY BRANDON JOHNSON.
BRANDON JOHNSON is also the managing editor of ZINGMAGAZINE.
this is his first book.
the event took place at the ZINGMAGAZINE SOHO, NYC OFFICE.
ZINGMAGAZINE ISSUE #24 – BOOK LAUNCH PARTY, OCT 8, 2015.
ps: and, if you don’t know Walter Robinson – ha, sorry. but you are not only on the wrong website, but you prob are on the wrong continent.
Walter Robinson – great American ‘reve noir’/’pulp fiction’ & hard cash/pharmaceuticals . . painter & former illustrious editor/founder of artnet.
DEVON DIKOU . . . founder, editor & publisher of ZINGMAGAZINE, and patron of this wonderful book project !!
thank you – Devon !!
ZINGMAGAZINE #24 BOOK LAUNCH, ZING OFFICES, Grand St. in Soho, NYC.
OCT 8, 2015
and, damn if auto-focus doesn’t have a mind of it’s own sometimes, just like auto-spell !!
but still . . . she’s got a good thing going, and looks like the feedback from the night’s magazine/book launch – is making her, and, rightfully so – happy !!
ZINGMAGAZINE ISSUE 24, 2015 . . . A CURATORIAL CROSSING
has a great line-up, and the production is . . out of this world !!
there were sample copies to peruse at the event.
a young artist I was with, NICHOLAS STEINDORF super admired the DAVID ALTMEJD photos, while my KATE CERIGO . . a young / senior graphic designer in the fashion world – was crazy for the graphics and specialty ‘luxe’ – papers !!
the Mexican food – was great too, and the spirits were freely flowing.
ZING: the next generation, comes . . on board !!
but the Dan Asher book was under wraps, tucked into the magazine packaging – til you got home !!
I just knew . . from the way it was so Zen-like hidden, guerilla-packaged, among-st this most subtle, but impressive assortment of small, indie artist publications – with an over-all color palette of a . . very right-on ‘bleeding edge’ gray fade-zone: resilient, reflective and so . . . exquisitely POETIC !! no words !!
that was this was going to be too good – to be true.
like saving the candy in the gold foil wrap, for last !!
contrarian that I am – I couldn’t bear to open mine . . for a whole week, until today !!
but word came in immediately – from Kate:
“Dan’s book came out really nice, Mom you should be proud to be a part of it!!!!!!”
so I slit the cellophane wrap – and opened it today !!
I was just blown away.
zen perfection – in a minimalist graphic format. Dan would love this. that’s what was so sad, for me.
the sad part, exquisite fame: after a hard tough haul of a life, through the cruel tempest of what we casually call . . . the art world.
but you know, there is such a sweet soft beauty to the sad side of the street – and Dan always knew, this was coming, so . . . let’s celebrate !!
and, yes this first time project by Brandon Johnson – is definitely a celebration, and a cause to celebrate. a full circle, with the new generation jumping on-board, and taking over from where the old-school critics and powers-that-were (!!) failed Dan, & themselves, bye the way.
this is the real DAN, the crumpled mess that was a constant swirl around him, just like that ‘Peanuts’ character. . . . that, the photo even survived – is a miracle.
you can see the ‘dialog’ he shared with JEAN MICHEL (BASQUIAT) on the walls of this early-mid 80s studio shot. it was prob taken when both he and Jean Michel, were showing with Annina Nosei. and Dan was in the $$$ enough to paint on large canvas in a nice studio on the Bowery, or was it on Chrystie. I think they even shared it ???
the real Dan, from the beginning ‘end’ papers, his endless scribbles . . . and onwards, Brandon never skips a beat.
the book is absolutely chock full of many many archival photos of Dan, and his work, with much thanks to BEN BERLOW who heads up the Estate of Dan Asher . .
but the real beating heart of the book, is the oral history: interviews with almost 40 people who knew Dan at one time or another – each with their own particular take and . . fondness. it’s amazing that Brandon has preserved so much of this, before many of us – also go the way, of that south-of-sunset route of no-return – into the timeless sky.
from early friends, including myself, through JOHN LeKAY, and then in the 90s through YOSHITOMO NARA, and TOMIO KOYAMA, Dan’s one-time dealer in Japan, to later friends like . . BEN BERLOW, and GAVIN BROWN.
my only personal regret, is that SIMON CERIGO, RIP, 2013 . . that great art world gadabout . . didn’t live to tell his tales of Dan, he prob knew Dan’s history the best of all. they meet at the Red Bar in 1981 and they were pretty much joined at the hip for decades.
there’s even a photo of Dan from elementary school, of course the kid at left, in the ‘specs’ is Dan.
too cute – and check out the willfull-ness !! in his face, even back then.
Simon told me, Dan told him many times – that his father used to beat him, many times, and harshly – because Dan was so contrary, and stubborn, even as a kid. the sad part is, it was nothing he could control – it was just his nature, just born that way.
Dad.
there’s even a gorgeous, gorgeous, double page spread . . of one of Dan’s antarctic iceberg photos, ca. mid 90s.
I was Dan’s studio assistant at this time, don’t get me started . . .
it was a riot – Dan was flush with cash, and the 4 star sushi, and the art career . . was rolling mighty !!
we used to laugh so much, cracking jokes like other people chew gum, until . . damn !!
where’s the passport – the plane leaves in 30 mins !!
yep, chockfull – to the very last image, one of Dan’s most minimal zen pencil drawings, on the back cover !!
if you want to know what’s in-between, it’s . . Dan’s brain – on fire !!
put to paper by the most courageous & insightful . . BRANDON JOHNSON, no doubt about it.
I have only one word for all ya losers, jokers and clowns . . out there, BUY THIS BOOK !! and act fast, double dutch – time !!
it’s $45 for the ‘special’ package that includes the DAN ASHER book . . and the gorgeous new zingmag, and worth every penny of it – many times over.
it’s available on the . . ZINGSTORE – ZING #24
http://zingmagazine.com/zingstore.html
not only is it a ‘steal’ price-wise, and and blow-out – content-wise !!
but, I bet it’s sold out by next week.
that’s how fast the buzz is moving !!
it’s like a wild fire – burning outta control through the sky-scrapers of the . . NYC mind.
‘Far From the Madding Crowd: Perspectives on the Life and Work of Dan Asher’ by BRANDON JOHNSON . .
is being packaged and sold as part of ZINGMAGAZINE #24 the ‘special’ – option. it retails for $45 and includes the afore-mentioned Dan Asher book, as well as . . ‘Family Affair’ by The Family Schacter, a CD, a poster, and a drawing wheel.
again, congrats to DEVON DIKOU, ZING founder / editor & publisher.
who has got herself, a runaway hit – !!
don’t say – I didn’t warn ya, “order now”.
EVENT PHOTOS & PHOTOS OF THE BOOK: NANCY SMITH
DECISION 2015 (I CHANGE): MARLEY FREEMAN
SEPT 4 – OCT 19, 2015
CLEOPATRA’S – 110 MESEROLE AVE, GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN
a few more pix from her ‘one-day-only’ . . vintage textile pop-up shop / Mon Oct 5, 2015
MARLEY FREEMAN holds up a vintage circus or sideshow or theater curtain / tapestry.
it seems to have been outlined in black ink, all by hand of course.
this is something those crazy American Pickers Mike and Frank, would . . go crazy for !!
you can see the original grommets (center) that would have held it up, at one point in its history.
it’s even signed on the back: ATELIER J PONTVEILLE . .
this variation on a classic Americana ‘pop corn’ quilt was interesting . . very utilitarian, a real rural farm quilt, and, I bet it was quite warm, as it is closely bound and stitched – from small scraps.
all of these facts would lead one to the conclusion that this quilt, plus it’s worn-out in several places, is quite old, close to cover frontier wagon – times.
there were even traces of . . the printed feed sack textile – that was used – on the back. the front might have come form feed sacks – as well, which were dyed in colors, and later printed with colorful plaid or floral patterns – to attract the woman buyers who used these give-away / added bonus !! 100% cotton textiles – in their quilts.
talk about – re-cycling.
talking about farms, there was a gorgeous funny, mint condition large piece of vintage printed farm imagery, ca 60s or 70s.
yes, time flies !!
the hoe-down couple was priceless, and you can see the vintage illustration style of that time – is heavily cartoon-based !!
light-hearted & happy !!
everything was light-hearted & happy – even the INDIAN WARS !!!!!
everyone – was a joker, and nobody even realized back it then !!
talk about history revision !!
today, that would be so . . politically incorrect.
like calling African slaves, imported against their will, on ships of immense captivity horror, “immigrant workers”, lol. yes – this is true !!
and, in a classroom USA history textbook – !!
getting back to purer & more simpler times, prob early 1900s.
not quite colonial sampler times, but still relatively early, note the red cross-stitch name & date.
‘red work’ was common when not too many color dyes were available.
the piece also includes that ‘pull fabric weave’ – border ‘stitch’ – I don’t know the proper term for that kind of technique, but there are many elaborate DIY handi-work pieces that include a form of this, at the borders.
or ‘negative’ space – put to good use – all ye grad students !!
ps: what happened to that name . . Odille ?
great name, somebody needs to bring it back.
this 1907 red work – was actually more of a ‘utilitarian’ sampler for the homemaker, as opposed to earlier colonial American school girl samplers, which we treasure increasingly . . this was a tutorial for ‘marking’ the household linens.
this is a detail of hand-embroidered corner – of a vintage card table – cover.
prob 1930s or so . . .
another corner had a lucky horse shoe !!
this might have been hand-stitched by a young girl, also as a learning project, as it’s not skilled, but rather clumsy . .
though the person who cut, seamed and hemmed the cover itself . . was an excellent seamstress.
but it’s still quite . . powerful !!
the swastika was ancient symbol found in many diverse cultures. it’s basic elemental interlocking shapes symoblized power, esp power of the household !!
and, so yes that’s why Hitler used it to symbolize Nazi power.
I bought this piece. ($25)
I was hoping this classic joker . . from the 50s said . . just one more, Miss Finch !!
that’s an in-joke. Charlie Finch, whatever !!
MARLEY FREEMAN’s textile pop-up is down, though maybe some remnants are still – on exhibit ?
but you can still catch her textile inspired paintings and a small but very amusing, and intriguing – tiny nano ceramic blocks – gathered in a corner. the show is up through Oct 19, 2015.
detail: MARLEY FREEMAN, ‘Blocks’, 2015
Ceramic
Dimensions variable – $20 ea. $800 for set.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
MARLEY FREEMAN – ONE DAY ONLY !!
VINTAGE TEXTILE – POP-UP SHOP
MON OCT 5, 2015 / 4-8 PM
CLEOPATRA’S – 110 MESEROLE AVE, GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN
MARLEY FREEMAN at the ‘shop’ . . . !!
more info: on the artist & her textile collection
Marley’s brother, JORDAN FREEMAN.
they grew up in LA, in a family of vintage textile collectors, headed by their dad.
they have an archive of over 500 lbs of textiles – all kinds, included hand stitched items, vintage tatting & even some – quilts.
the family runs ‘Archive Editions’ – which produces new ‘reproduction’ textiles from the designs.
this is early, 1920s onward . . and most likely handmade even though it was hand ‘packaged’ for sale – prob later than it was made ??
maybe for sale . . in the 40s or 50s, or even later, 70s . . in a thrift or junk or vintage shop ?
Note $5 ea. !!
it’s a bit of a mystery, but always fun to see original packaging.
but, it’s beautiful.
up here in the North East, you can find this kind of tiny multi-pattern hand stitched ‘fanci-work’ work, tatting & done with a micro crochet hooks, among the old Scottish families, esp of Long Island, NY.
it was a handmade lace to attach to hand-made dresses / and borders of nightgowns.
this is very art deco, 1930s .
prob made in the 20s or at the latest 30s, very Egyptian – influenced.
this was the era when they were discovering Egyptian tombs, and opening them up.
it seems to made of a ‘bleached’ yarn, as opposed, to the more sepia-tinted hues of older raw, unprocessed linen . . crochet/tatting thread / aka ‘twist’ – dating at least, as far back as the American Revolution.
all vintage hand-stitching, including quilt repair, and vintage textile collecting in general, is a GREAT, BIG, MERRY FEAST – for any & all history buffs . . who love to un-ravel – a mystery !!
hand or needle skills, patterns & materials – will all eventually tell their own story, an unwinding of origin, and lifestyle, that extends well beyond . . ‘what you see – is what you get’.
just like in painting, or the graphic arts – art deco . . is a major influence & social marker.
before I get carried away, this is PETER COFFIN . . . just back from his thin black moveable profile / sculpture show with BILL BRADY – out in KANSAS CITY. he said he had a great time with Bill, who wouldn’t ?
BILL is the coolest !!
and, he also told me bit of Brooklyn history – !!
this storefront . . used to be ANDREW GUENTHER’S studio – before it was CLEOPATRA’S GALLERY !!
also just back . .
from 10 years in BERLIN, DELIA GONZALEZ.
well, actually she’s back almost 2 years, and she lives in the neighborhood, Greenpoint.
we spoke a bit about the tragic passing DANIEL REICH, and how vibrant and cutting edge, his gallery was . . where Delia used showed her work, early to mid . . 2000s.
I still remember her . . amazing tribal, magical . . tiny cowrie shell head !!
BRIDGET DONAHUE, one of the 4 curators of CLEOPATRA’S.
and to-night, the designated person with the . . small white sq – for credit cards !!
and, if you’ve been to any kind of pop-up, you know what I mean !!
this is another example of hand-made lace – made to adorn the hand-made clothing of the turn of the century, even into the 30s, 40s. you can see the ‘outline’ of a clothing shape, e.g. the cut-out for the neck – in the remnant.
it was prob an Edwardian or Victorian woman’s blouse.
from the coarser or more heavy-duty quality of the cloth, and the from the simpler stitching, but ‘magical’ pattern, it’s my guess, this piece is earlier than the piece detailed above.
but, there’s no point getting all gnarly, & lost in the history, it’s effect is prob even dynamic & bold, spiritual – even still.
esp to fans of ‘authentic’ hand-made retro Americana. hello Japan.
Marley brought a broad range of vintage textiles, the majority of which in fact – were not – women’s hand-stitched / handiwork.
this was a set of 6 different, commercially printed ‘cocktail’ or bar . . napkins – from the 50s, or 60s !!
quelle fun !! I’m so into vintage cartoons. 6 different images from $40 in mint condition, and so funny ?
and plus my kid’s name is THEO – the same as the artist.
bring on that . . . small digital white cube.
ca-ching.
this must date back to the time of . . MAD MEN, if not sooner.
when ‘stylish’ people could laugh about – bad behavior !!
an equal opportunity . . joker !!
from back when it was ok to make fun of both NYC, and the far east !!
if the average American suburban Joe Schmoe . . had his party-on / double life issues, so apparently – did the high flying harem juggling, Sultan . .
it was a big time for . . jokes, that’s for sure. an era – long gone.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
as part of her exhibit at CLEOPATRA’S . . .
MARLEY FREEMAN will set up a . . . POP-UP VINTAGE TEXTILE SHOP !!
apparently she has a personal collection of over 500 lbs of vintage textiles . . “gifted from her father who has led an occupation of textile buying and collecting from over 30 years.”
Textiles will be available for purchase.
CLEOPATRA’S – 110 MESEROLE AVE, BROOKLYN
MARLEY FREEMAN – POP-UP VINTAGE TEXTILE SHOP – ONE DAY ONLY: MON OCT 5, 2015 / 4-8pm
JAMES MILLER . . . had a wonderful debut NYC show just as the season closed – last June 2015.
the show seemed so full of promise, and attracted so many new faces, bound to be taking over . . that I hesitated to post about it in real time, and leave it behind.
so here is it, where it belongs !!
in the forefront of the new Fall season, enjoy !!
JAMES MILLER, installation – photo via DEDALUS FOUNDATION
I had the opportunity . . to visit JAMES MILLER, and see his work several times – over his recently completed, class of 2014, Graduate Studies in Fine Art, MFA Painting/Studio Program – at Yale.
see: JAMES MILLER, ‘WAY, BEYOND THE SQUARE’ – posted AUG 30, 2013
see: ‘JAMES MILLER . . DREW MILLER, ART BROS’ !! – posted AUG 31, 2013
upon completion of his graduate degree at Yale . . .
JAMES was awarded the 2014 Dedalus Foundation MFA Fellowship in Painting & Sculpture this past Sept 2014.
James Miller grew up in the Pacific Northwest – and is now working and living in NYC.
read more: James Miller & his Dedalus Foundation Fellowship, based in Brooklyn
JAMES MILLER, ‘Pyralid’, 2014. acrylic on canvas, 96 x 68 in.
the fellowship culminated with an exhibit at the Dedalus space, in Brooklyn.
the opening reception was JUNE 12, 2015 & the show ran through JUNE 28, 2015
The Gallery at Industry City, 274 36th Street, Brooklyn
the exhibit was curated by The Dedalus Foundation High School interns ESTEPHANIE CRUZ, MARK LABOY & ESTEFAN MEDINA with Curatorial Advisor DEXTER WIMBERLY
PIX – FROM THE OPENING, JUNE 12, 2015:
JAMES MILLER, ‘Stund Cylum’, 2015. acrylic on canvas, 96 x 88 in.
wow.
talkin . . . KILLAH !! !!
everyone was floored by this painting.
it seemed to really catch that Brooklyn – hard edge !!
Brooklyn, it’s not all . . . DIY crafty, no way !!
JAMES MILLER, at the DEDALUS FOUNDATION MFA Fellowship Exhibition – of his newest work.
check out more of his work: JAMES MILLER STUDIO
artist STEVEN DAY, print maker & painter.
see: STEVEN DAY, NYC
LANCE MARCHEL . . . is currently living & working in Ridgewood, NY.
he’s also part of that increasingly high profile (!!) . . . 2014 class, Yale School of Art MFA program.
check out his work: LANCE MARCHEL
ANTONE KONST, 2014 class – Yale School of Art MFA program.
Antone was in Paris all last year, he had just gotten back in time for James’ opening !!
ANTONE was the Harriet Hale Woolley Fellow at Fondation des Etats-Unis, where he curated a cutting edge screening of really contemporary video art, including NYC based artists NICHOLAS STEINDORF and DARJA BAJAGIC.
read more: REALITIES IN CONTEMPORARY VIDEO ART – CURATED BY ANTONE KONST, PARIS
ANTONE has a wonderful website . . J’adore !! the vase painting – on the home page !!
check out: ANTONE KONST
guests at the opening, in front of JAMES MILLER, ‘Volta’, 2015. acrylic on canvas, 96 x 68.
JERRY BLACKMAN, JENNA PIRELLO, JAMES MILLER and NICHOLAS STEINDORF . . .
all class of 2014, Yale School of Art, MFA program.
there’s a link for Jerry, a little further on.
but, check out: JENNA PIRELLO
and !!
I’ve been following NICHOLAS STEINDORF for quite a while now, he’s updated his website . . and it looks positively . . fab !!
check out: NICHOLAS STEINDORF
JAMES MILLER, ‘Sundowning’, 2015, acrylic on canvas, 96 x 68 in.
ADAM WISSING and JAMES MILLER.
ADAM WISSING is a video artist, and also seems to be a curator – gallerist, among many other interesting ventures !!
see: ADAM WISSING
JERRY BLACKMAN and JOHN SZLASA . . .
check out: JERRY BLACKMAN / P.S. 1 Studio Visit
check out: JOHN SZLASA / WEBSITE
DREW MILLER !!
yes, Drew is bro to James !! same mom & pop store dna !!
but like day and night / 2 sides of the coin.
DREW MILLER . . is the comic artist – whose work we have been throwing at ya – all summer.
see: DREW MILLER – tumblr
see: DREW MILLER, POOR THING – entirely in Ballpoint !!
sculptor MICHAEL HANDLEY with LADY SOULE, designer.
Michael is also a member of the graduating class of 2015 Yale School of Art MFA Program, but in Sculpture.
you can check out his work, here: MICHAEL HANDLEY
and then, there was a really nice after party with the best pizza, ever !!
in the back courtyard of the Industrial City building, just magical as the evening turned into sunset.
LADY SOULE, PIPPA, THEO & KATE !!
note: I would also like to thank JAMES MILLER & NICHOLAS STEINDORF . . . !!
for their absolutely invaluable help – in making it all happen, in so many ways:
‘Under the Volcano: Simon Cerigo, Dan Asher, Nancy Smith’, a pop-up show curated by KATE & THEO CERIGO, June 6 & 7, 2015 – 169 Bowery, Lower East Side. NY.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH, unless otherwise noted
ASH & GOLD LEAF on PAPER . . . ‘YOU WIN’ – by ROBERT DAVIS, @exhibitiona
image via @halfgallery – posted Oct 2, 2015
see: EXHIBITION A / exhibitiona.com
see: YOU WIN / Exhibition A