~’PAINTING AS IS II’ . . big group show curated by TIM WILSON & HEIDI HAHN / NATHALIE KARG / OPENS TUES JUNE 28

‘PAINTING AS IS II’. . . CURATED BY TIM WILSON & HEIDI HAHN
OPENS TUES JUNE 28 / 6 – 8 PM
and runs thru . . . AUG 28, 2022
NATHALIE KARG GALLERY, 291 GRAND ST., 4th Fl, NYC 10002
HRS: TUES – SAT / 10 AM – 6 PM

with: LISA BECK, BLINN & LAMBERT, ROBERT BORDO, SARAH BRAMAN, THERESA DADDEZIO, DENNIS DELGADO, MARTHA DIAMOND,
OLIVIA DRUSIN, ROCHELLE FEINSTEIN, JACKIE FENG, MEENA HASAN, JAMES HYDE, OLIVIA JIA, MARINA KAPPOS, CAROLINE KENT,
JAENA KWON, BENNY MERRIS, ELIZABETH McINTOSH, OREN PINHASSI, NATHLIE PROVOSTY, CRAIG TAYLOR, & DAN WALSH

POSTER-FEATURED ART by: JAMES HYDE




~’SILVER HORSESHOE’ . . GROUP SHOW / HYACINTH / OPENS FRI JUNE 24

‘SILVER HORSESHOE’ . . a 9 female artist group show
OPENS TO-NITE / FRI JUNE 24 / 6 – 8 PM
and runs thru . . . AUG 7, 2022.
HYACINTH GALLERY, 179 Canal St. #4B, DOWNTOWN NYC 10013
HRS: FRI, SAT, SUN: 12 PM – 6 PM
or by app’t

‘SILVER HORSESHOE’ . . IS CURATED BY: JENNIFER CALANDRA

FEATURING: LEE DAWSON, ABBY HORETZ, AHMRII JOHNSON, CASSIDY McGINLEY,
CHELSEA NYEGAARD, MELODY TUTTLE, VIDEO BY: SOMER STAMPLEY & SARDE HARDIE,
CAKES BY (Lulu) BODEGA CAKES

SILVER HORSESHOE . . brings together 9 female artists working in a range of media
to address concepts of femininity as they exist as an art historical trope, a compositional
strategy, and a cultural manifestation.”
~gallery

see more: EXHIBITIONS/SILVER HORSESHOW/HYACINTH GALLERY




~STIPAN TADIC . . ‘VISIONS of the CITY’ / ATM NYC / OPENS THURS JUNE 23

anybody else – up for some . . Magic Realism ?

STIPAN TADIC: ‘VISIONS of the CITY’
opens Thurs June 23 / 5-8 PM
and runs thru . . . JULY 31, 2022
ATM NYC, 54E HENRY ST., LOWER EAST SIDE, NYC 10002


STIPAN TADIC, ‘Central Park’, 2022
oil on canvas / 78 x 60 in.
image via Instagram @stipan.tadic / Stipan Tadic


detail . . .


detail . . .


detail . . .
all 3 detail images via Instagram @stipan.tadic




~MELISSA BROWN . . ‘Nothing is to be done for William T. Wiley’ / PARKER GALLERY, L.A.

MELISSA BROWN . . has a truly awesome, wonder-full painting / in the big group show:
‘Nothing is to be done for William T. Wiley’,
PARKER GALLERY, 2441 Glendower Ave., LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
HRS: Wed-Sat / 12 – 6 PM

the show opened June 12, and continues thru . . AUGUST 6, 2022

see more about the exhibit: EXHIBITIONS-PARKER GALLERY


MELISSA BROWN, ‘Window with Bananas’, 2022.
Flashe, oil, acrylic on dibond / 32 x 50 in.
image via Instagram @boogiebrowntown / Melissa Brown




~’BLACK DOLLS’ . . NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY / FINAL WEEKEND !!

PERSEVERANCE v. SUBSERVIENCE / think on it.

‘BLACK DOLLS’ . . FEB 25 – JUNE 5, 2022
NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 170 CENTRAL PARK WEST at 77TH ST, NYC

TICKETS: VISIT / NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

SEE INTRO: ‘BLACK DOLLS’ / NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

PHOTOS FROM THE EXHIBIT . . BY NANCY SMITH / MARCH 5, 2022


‘Doll in blue dress’, Eastern US or Canada, ca. 1865-70
handmade,’scrap/rag doll, cotton, paint / for the features on the face.


male servant / house doll, with an ‘iron enslavement collar’ (looks to be wrapped wire) /
so that he could not run away, and, to keep him mentally . . subservient.
one does not need a caption, to understand that this is an enslaved person.


some dolls are happier play than others / but all – reflect their times.
simple worded wall texts, and display captions – help with the background info and context,
without being . . inflammatory. facts are presented just as straightforward, and honest, . . as could be / with an even-handed emphasis on the doll making, as much as the greater social commentary.
there are also a lot of wonderful, original historic photos / which speak as direct witness to the times.


the text reads:
“Expressions of resilience and creativity, perseverance and pride, love longing. The handmade Black dolls that populate this exhibit have a lot to say. Stitched largely by Black women for their own children or white youngsters under their care, the dolls were ingeniously
crafted from materials at hand. Their faded clothing, torn bodies, and sundry repairs evoke vigorous play and lost conversations, and call up images of the children that cuddled, pampered, and mistreated them.

Made in the U.S. between the 1850s and the 1940s, these dolls span a tumultuous period in American history marked by slavery, legalized segregation, and entrenched racism. These works are mute about their specific histories, yet every stitch and swatch was a deliberate choice. The makers. mostly unknown to us, created toys that expressed their inner lives and intangible feelings while challenging pervasive stereotypes.”

note: the dolls on display are from the collection of DEBORAH NEFF, unless otherwise noted.


the ‘interactive’ stations are both fun, and . . hands-on informative.
this presentation lets you experience the ‘recycled’ / mostly used or left-over scraps / and sometimes straight out . . rags that made up the majority of the dolls.
the so-important black material used for the bodies, and faces usually came from worn-out woolen socks, or finer cotton stockings.


this exhibit is so, so excellent. especially in that it was really fun,
and seriously: thoughtful, a vivid, even intimate learning experience, and, not just a purely conceptual, nor overtly motivated one. glorious DIY – was the order of the day.
deeply rooted, and varied – just like the people who made them.
although harsh reality was not excluded, these after-all were dolls, not weapons.
although if words can be weapons, I guess – so can dolls.
but overall, a joyous pride of improvised creativity, that not only expressed a tough era, and perhaps a hardened ‘inner’ life . . but, which also delighted young children, sets the dominant warm tone /
while demonstrating and explaining the range of skills and fabrication – along the way.

DIY: re-cycled !! hand-stitched !! home-made !! creative !! expressive !! useful.
and, necessary.

where the link to both universal ancestral human artistry,
and, the very ‘heart’ of our cutting-edge contemporary art . . . meet.

I only wish this exhibit – could have continued on through the summer.
and, I bet – I’m not the only one.

PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH




~’BLACK DOLLS’ / NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY / up thru JUNE 5

hand-made dolls of (a troubled) yesterday v. violent video games of (an unthinkable) today /
. . . think about it.

teach those boys – more trades. more skills. teach those boys . . how to knit.
and, it’s not a joke – btw.

if you want to talk about society though the lens of both history and art /
but most specifically: before and after the Internet / this is your . . baby !!!

DO NOT – DO NOT / DO NOT – MISS !!!!!!!!!
ONLY !! 2 weekends – left !!!!!!!!
for tickets: NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY: VISIT

if I was ever – put on this earth for a reason, it was to tell you about . .
this exhibit / it is truly such an amazing, living, breathing . . opportunity !!
it is so right on, so relevant, and even more so / most sadly, today.
and, I do mean: today / May 26, 2022.

presenting a wide range of . . handmade cloth dolls,
made primarily by African American woman between 1850 – 1940 /
this exhibit . . is just so wonderfully laid out – too.
including a rich & charming range of narrative ‘props’, from period sepia-toned photographs, through imaginary dollhouse displays, onto actual antique work baskets, and a nice sampling of the common household, re-cycled materials that were used.
and btw, the exhibit . . includes some of the best written museum text labels, too.
brief, informative, charming, and exact.
this very folk art & history driven exhibit is often surprising, which is so thrilling / but it’s just flat-out definitely super, super interesting . . for all:
from young child, to pre-teen friendship-bracelet weaver, to well: us . . . all.

it is the story of American history, society, and . . . yes: art !!
that’s Art with a capital A / I’m talking . . cutting-edge American art.
and, how we got here.
no doubt about it /
and, the intersection – is an absolute wake-up call.

‘Black Dolls’ . . .
is so full of love, laughter, and . . inevitably: tears.
but, tears / are not . . . death.
tears are not mowing down young children – tears are about raising them up / even in struggle.
heavy-lifting it was. but, tears are not . . violence.


Unidentified photograph, Woman and Children with Black Cloth, handmade Dolls, 1942.
Gelatin silver print, Deborah Neff Collection
image via Instagram @nyhistory / New-York Historical Society

‘BLACK DOLLS’ . . . .
Feb 25 – JUNE 5, 2022
NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 170 CENTRAL PARK WEST at 77the Street / NYC
note: including a . . ‘pathway of labels for younger visitors, age 5-12’,
and including some delightful, ‘interactive stations’ – for all !!

I know first-hand !!
for definite sure – I jumped over there / the very first weekend !!

SO .. get those tickets: BOOK YOUR TICKETS !!!!!

more exhibit info: ‘Black Dolls – New-York Historical Society’


‘Black doll in gentleman’s top coat’, 1860-70, Milton, MA / Maine.
hand-made, DIY / mixed fabrics, leather, brass, glass
Deborah Neff Collection
Photo: ELLEN McDERMOTT / via New-York Historical Society


check out: NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY Instagram, @nyhistory




~ANDREW FRANCIS . .’RED MEANS GO’ / GROUP SHOW / TOMATO MOUSE, BROOKLYN / OPENS SAT MAY 21

TO-NIGHT !!!!!!!

ANDREW FRANCIS joins in a big group show . . . ‘RED MEANS GO’ / !!!!!
OPENING SAT MAY 21 / 6 – 10 PM
and runs thru . . JUNE 18, 2022

“PLEASE WEAR RED” . . . . !!!!!

TOMATO MOUSE, 301 Saratoga Ave, Brooklyn NY
HRS: FRI & SAT / 1 – 7 PM
& BY APPOINTMENT

the show is curated by: REBECCA BIRD & ZEV GUSTAFSON
with: ANDREA BURGAY, LUCY WILNER, DAVID McBRIDE, JAYNIE CRIMMINS, JILL SNOFFIETI, TRAVIS CHILDERS, ALEXA HOYER, ANDREW FRANCIS, LENA CHRISTAKIS, TZIREL KAMINETZKY, MEREDITH STARR & DANA LEAVIT


check out: ANDREW FRANCIS on Instagram @andrewmeriwetherfrancis


check out: TOMATO MOUSE GALLERY on Instagram @tomato.mouse




~STIPAN TADIC . . ‘NY to MILAN’ / F2T/ MILAN

if you’re in . . . MILAN !!

check out ‘NY to MILAN’ / a 4 artist group show
running thru JUNE 18, 2022
F2T Gallery, Via Statuto 13, Milan, Italy.

featuring work by:
LIOR MODAN, OPAL MAE ONG, JULIE SEVERINO, STIPAN TADIC


STIPAN TADIC, ‘Rene Smoking’, 2022.
oil on board, 50 x 40 cm.
(roughly: 19-1/2 x 15-1/2 in.)
image via STIPAN TADIC Instagram @stipan.tadic

STIPAN TADIC . . is a painter from Croatia/Zagreb currently based in NYC.


check out: STIPAN TADIC on Instagram @stipan.tadic


check out: F2T Gallery, Milan on Instagram @f2tgallery




~HAPPY BIRTHDAY . . MARSHAL HOPKINS !!

if, you are anywhere near Vancouver . . !!

and, shout out to . . GUIDO MOLINARI & SIMON CERIGO / ART GHOSTS – DEFINITELY INVITED !! !!

HAPPY 75 !!
MARSHAL HOPKINS !!
MAY THE LIFE FORCE ALWAYS BE – WITH YOU.

“COME SEE HOW MARSHIE – MAKES TURNING 75 / LOOK LIKE FUN” . . . !! !! !! !!
WED MAY 18, 2022 / 3 – 6 PM
723 HAMILTON AVE., NANAIMO, B.C. CANADA


MARSHAL HOPKINS, ‘Honeymoon Swing’, ca. 1984
acrylic on canvas board / 14 x 18 in.
image via Instagram @marshal8463


MARSHAL HOPKINS, ‘Honeymoon Cottage’, ca. 1984
acrylic on canvas board / 14 x 18 in.
image via Instagram @marshal8463


MARSHAL is also an incredible . . musician !! !!
ps: yes, that’s Marsh – on the right / controlling the strings, of course !!

most, def / LISTEN TO:
MARSHAL HOPKINS / VOICE & GUITAR . . . ‘FIRE – SO DON’T PLAY WITH ME’ / Instagram @marshal8463


check out: MARSHAL HOPKINS on Instagram @marshal8463




~NICHOLAS SULLIVAN . . ‘BLUE STOVE’/ SUE MUSKAT . . ‘EVERY GAIN DEVINE / ‘SHAKER INSPIRED’ / JOYCE GOLDSTEIN GALLERY, CHATHAM, NY / SAT MAY 14

IF, you’re .. upstate !!

NICHOLAS SULLIVAN . . has a wonderful ‘faux realist’ sculpture /
in this diverse media / group show, ‘SHAKER INSPIRED’ . . !!
ORGANIZED BY . . ERIC WOLF
OPENING SAT MAY 14 / 3 – 6 PM
the show runs . . thru JUNE 18, 2022

JOYCE GOLDSTEIN GALLERY, 19 Central Sq., Chatham, NY 12037
HRS:
THURS-SAT / 1 – 5 PM
SUN 1-3 PM


NICHOLAS SULLIVAN, ‘BLUE STOVE’, 2022.
newsprint, pigment, steel.
15 x 16 x 24 in.
BTW: Nicholas Sullivan . . custom-makes the ‘tiered’ pedestal / bases – upon which this eerily, almost luminous green, 2 ft. tall ‘stove’
stands upon.
they are in fact, part of the piece,
I say: Bravo !! x 1 million.
they are made in perfect proportions, so much so,
I initially thought this ‘faux’ stove . . was – life-size !!

though, I guess in the right setting, his sturdier faux sculptures, like this . . one could be set down without a base ? as some kind of random curio ?
like an over-sized piece of spectacularly incredible . . dollhouse accessory / furniture.
what can I say ? it’s a strange kind of object. and yet a stove, in form.
well, the imagination – does get . . lit !!


NICHOLAS SULLIVAN / from an angle
both images via Instagram @hows_nick


POSTER ARTWORK: SUE MUSKAT, ‘Every Gain Devine’, 2022
acrylic on paper, 24 x 18 in.
IMAGE via JOYCE GOLDSTEIN GALLERY


check out: NICHOLAS SULLIVAN on Instagram @hows_nick