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Category Archives: Contemporary Art

Overtime: Aug 8 – Aug 14

More stories from the week that ended Aug 14 (click on bolded words for more information): Nicolas Party’s Pathway comes to Dallas Museum of Art. RIP: Betsy Davis, who passed away at the age of 41 via doctor-assisted suicide after hosting two-day party. RIP: Ernst Neizvestny, who passed away at the age of 91. RIP: The Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, who passed away at the age of 64. Museum visitor interaction with works and subsequent vandalistic acts a rising concern. The Guardian also writes about vandalism fears. […]

Openings: Karla Ortiz – “Chimerical” @ Spoke Art

Last week, Spoke Art in San Francisco proudly presented a debut solo show from Karla Ortiz (seen below) entitled Chimerical. The display of new illustrations and paintings from the locally-based artist featured a selection haunting works drawing from her experience as a concept artist in the gaming and film industries. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm and other mythological stories, Ortiz’s storytelling talents are evident as viewers are drawn into the narrative as they stand gazing at her pieces. Rounding out the exhibition are a series of studies. Photo credit: Zach Sumner.

Upcoming: Sam Friedman – “Sitting Pretty” @ Chandran Gallery

Sam Friedman will be opening a new exhibition soon at Chandran Gallery in San Francisco. For his debut West Coast solo show, the New York-based artist has prepared 16 new intuitive abstract works, many of which are large scale. Sitting Pretty will be on view September 2 – October 14 with an opening reception on September 2 from 7 – 9pm with the artist in attendance. Take a look at a couple more shots from his studio with work being prepped for the show. Discuss Sam Friedman […]

Upcoming: No Commission Art Fair (New York)

Between August 11 – 14, Swizz Beatz has organized an art fair at his birthplace – South Bronx in New York. Presented by The Dean Collection & Bacardi, the No Commission Art Fair is just that – a platform where artists are given free exhibition space to sell their work with no commission charged (a followup to the Art Basel Miami event last year). Participants include: Nina Chanel Abney, Derrick Adams, John Ahearn, Ricardo Cavolo, Luigi Cazzaniga, Sandra Chevrier, Alyssa Dennis, Delphine Diallo, Faile (seen setting […]

Openings: “Death and the Maiden 2” & Femke Hiemstra – “The Sand Castle Battle and Other Tales” @ Roq la Rue

Well folks, this is it. The swan song as the sun sets on Roq la Rue, one of the most influential galleries of low brow turned pop surrealism and new contemporary the scene has ever seen. Owner Kirsten Anderson has decided that after eighteen years, it’s time to begin a new adventure in the name of the nameless, starting a non-profit to aid in the protection of animals that are illegally hunted and poached. Her philanthropy has spilled into several animal benefit shows over the […]

Overtime: Aug 1 – Aug 7

More stories from the week that ended Aug 7 (click on bolded words for more information): Artnet shares some art-filled day trips from NYC. Ben Medansky’s studio and everything in it lost to fire in Downtown Los Angeles. LA Times writes about the gentrification resistance in Boyle Heights centered around art galleries. Will Zika concerns be a major issue during the Miami art fairs in December? Justin Giarla leaves San Francisco as artists, collectors, and others discuss financial disputes with the dealer. Lenora Claire fighting to change archaic […]

Releases: James “Dalek” Marshall x Target Bedding Collection

Artist James “Dalek” Marshall (interviewed) recently released a new bedding collection through Target featuring his iconic imagery. The duvet cover set and pillow covers highlight different stages of his career including the space monkey phase as well as the current geometric pattern-based work his is known for now. Take a look at the entire collection here if you want to add some color to your bedroom. Discuss James “Dalek” Marshall here.

Release: Erik Parker New Kawela Surfboards

Recently, Paul Kasmin Shop released a set of three New Kawela surfboards designed by Erik Parker, hand shaped by Rockaway legend Joe Falcone for Pilgrim Surf + Supply and glassed by Sean Brewer. Offered in three different shapes (Egg Shape Single Fin, Rocket Fish, and Micro Fish), each limited edition board is custom made and will cost $3500. Featuring a beach motif and vibrant palette from the New York-based artists 2014 painting New Kawela Bay, they can be added to your collection by heading here. Seen below […]

SDCC ’16: South Park 20th Anniversary Art Show

During this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, adult animated sitcom South Park hosted a 20th anniversary art show as part of their South Park 20 experience. Curated by Ron English, many of the participants are of course known to readers of AM including Buff Monster, Anthony Ausgang, Sas Christian, RISK, Kenny Scharf, Faile, and more. Take a look at more photos below… Photo credit: Birdman Photos.

Releases: James Jean – “Zugzwang” Catalog

On August 9th (8 am PST), James Jean (interviewed) will be releasing a catalog of his show last year in Japan at Hidari Zingaro Gallery (covered). Curated by Takashi Murakami, the work for the exhibition in Tokyo was entitled Zugzwang, which now will be documented fully in this 80 page publication. Also included will be process images as well as related exploratory and ancillary works from the period. Seen here is the ultra limited (3 copies) Art Edition for $1000 which features a “custom-engineered cloth case with a magnetic enclosure that […]