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Post by Weezy on May 8, 2011 9:22:48 GMT -8
Evan Litvak, student at the California College of Art in Oakland, CA. Age 18. Picked up at the California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Arts shows in Davis, CA. If you've in NoCal and have never been, I highly recommend it-- hosted by John Natsoulas Gallery in Davis in early May each year. Students from all over CA show their work in empty retail spaces and other locally-sponsored fora. The student works are a tremendous value, and some of it is as good as you'd see anywhere. John's gallery also always has nice pieces. Why I acquired it: I just really love this piece. It's a self-portriat of the artist, imagined as a dialog among himself as the young man as he is today (the small head), his middle aged self and his twilight years self. The composition is wonderfully engaging and the piece includes subtleties of gesture while keeping loose with the execution that is pure talent. In particular, the artist gives the tiger a sense of weight and bone under thick pliable tiger skin. The tilt of each head is just right for the intended dialog and relative authority of each figure. There are so many ways I can imagine artist could've screwed up this unnatural combination of three heads and a tiger, but the gestural muddling of the hind part of the tiger that strikes a perfect balance of elements of the human and tiger figures is what makes this incredible oddity seem congruous and natural. The glazing choices are also thoughtful and enhance the overall effect, with the faux bronze patina of the heads and the dashes of white and bright yellow on the otherwise muted glazes of the tiger body. The deep and unfortunate flaw is that it was cut up to fit in the kiln to be fired and so the legs exist in pieces, and not in a way that can be glued back together seamlessly. The artist hadn't intended to show this-- or sell it to anyone-- and thus didn't take the care, which is very regretable. Nonetheless, I'm really thrilled to have it. More pics follow... Weezy Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on May 8, 2011 9:24:49 GMT -8
Evan Litvak. I've had this now for a few months, and it's grown into one of my very favorite pieces in my whole collection. And as testimony to the fact that price isn't a factor in collecting great art, this is the least expensive of the lot. Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on May 8, 2011 9:26:29 GMT -8
Tiger warming in front of the fireplace... Attachments:
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Post by jB on May 8, 2011 10:28:21 GMT -8
very nice weezy - the micallef looks great as well, do you have glass in the frame, or is it open?
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Post by Weezy on May 8, 2011 14:35:06 GMT -8
Thanks JB. The Micallef is under UV protected glass but not museum glass, which means eventually I'll need to have it replaced. I'm glad that it arrived under some kind of glass, however, because while it's mostly oil on canvas, it looks like there might be some markings with charcoal and/or pencil that could possibly smear if exposed.
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Post by Weezy on Jul 21, 2011 21:55:03 GMT -8
Clayton Brothers, "Stain on Lemon Yellow," 2011. Acquired from Jonathan Levine in NYC. Why I acquired it: I've always had a lot of respect for the work of Clayton Brothers. It's interesting and every piece feels different, not to mention being of consistently high quality and iconic of them. This was a spur of the moment purchase of a piece that just resonated with me. I liked the sunny palette, the graphical nature that nonetheless includes a high level of sophistication and the wonderful impasto elements. For Clayton Brothers, it's also unusually peppy with whimsical elements redolent of Souther Salazar. Weezy Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on Jul 21, 2011 22:11:42 GMT -8
Annie Lapin, A Brushed Scarlet Outside. Acquired from Honor Fraser in LA. Why I acquired it: Full stop I think Annie Lapin is one of the most talented painters of her generation, and I hope this piece is a first to be supplemented in the future. Weezy Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on Jul 21, 2011 22:15:18 GMT -8
Bumblebee, Don't Move as it appears on the wall. It's great how the striped wall behind the piece makes it look like a tagging of the wall. Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on Jul 21, 2011 22:39:55 GMT -8
Jinyoung Yu, Disguise. Acquired from LeBasse Gallery, LA Almost can't stand it to wait for this piece to arrive later in the year. I have to pinch myself that I was able to score this as I'd been interested in her work for a very long time, had made some progress and it fell through until Beau and Christine Basse made this happen for me, for which I'll be forever grateful. Why I acquired it: The raw emotionality of Jinyoung's work, her exceedingly smart technical choices and impeccable execution make her pieces one for the ages. Weezy Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on Sept 14, 2011 14:34:24 GMT -8
Esteban Schimpf, "LA Debris" (2011). Picked up from Carmichael Gallery in LA this August and recently framed. Why I acquired it: This piece was a bit of a departure for me in that it is purely about composition and form. I really liked Esteban's body of work that I'd seen online, which was very diverse with a consistent high quality and inspiration. Most importantly, despite the diversity, I liked every single piece I saw. He's very talented. Went to Art Institute of Chicago but now in LA. It's very simple but also effective. The principal shape appears to be patterns scraped wet into translucent black and browns atop a metallic underpaint, which catches the ambient light to highlight the texture and give the flat surface additional dimension. There are subtle differences in the muted color palette, with the edges bleeding into darkness that also give it dimension. It's almost like you're looking through murky water at an undersea shipwreck or alien landscape or something. It also has elements of daguerrotype photography. The primary shape is blocked off by a velvety soft blue gray that sharpens the contrast of the lines and highlights the juxtaposition of clean and grimy/filthy/photographic. Weezy Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on Sept 14, 2011 20:41:27 GMT -8
Antony Micallef, Head with Gold (2011). Showing at Micallef's solo show at Lazarides, London, "Happy Deep Inside My Heart" through October 22. Why I acquired it: I thought this was a strong example of Micallef's abstracted head studies. In particular there's wonderful texture achieved through the degradation of the paper that peels and flakes away to create highlights against the charcoal lowlights. I also like it because it's very different from the narrative of Idiot Love. Comparatively this is much darker and not at all pornographic. The incorporation of gold leaf, which adds dimension and pop, is a medium used (I believe) for the first time in this show, which provides context for this piece from a collecting perspective. Weezy Attachments:
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avert
Full Member
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Post by avert on Sept 14, 2011 20:55:18 GMT -8
gotta say, i kinda love that Esteban Schimpf painting. really interesting. i love a painting that changes dramatically with light. it seems this one would do that.
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Post by Weezy on Sept 14, 2011 21:03:11 GMT -8
gotta say, i kinda love that Esteban Schimpf painting. really interesting. i love a painting that changes dramatically with light. it seems this one would do that. Definitely! I've been moving it around to figure out where to hang it, and in different light/times of day, it leaves a different impression. Definitely needs some light, though, to pick up the metallic underpainting. But light also picks up the blue in the surrounding gray, particularly against an ivory wall. Thanks for the thoughts, Avert. Weezy |
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Post by epicfai on Sept 15, 2011 9:13:54 GMT -8
Esteban Schimpf, "LA Debris" (2011). Picked up from Carmichael Gallery in LA this August and recently framed. Why I acquired it: This piece was a bit of a departure for me in that it is purely about composition and form. I really liked Esteban's body of work that I'd seen online, which was very diverse with a consistent high quality and inspiration. Most importantly, despite the diversity, I liked every single piece I saw. He's very talented. Went to Art Institute of Chicago but now in LA. It's very simple but also effective. The principal shape appears to be patterns scraped wet into translucent black and browns atop a metallic underpaint, which catches the ambient light to highlight the texture and give the flat surface additional dimension. There are subtle differences in the muted color palette, with the edges bleeding into darkness that also give it dimension. It's almost like you're looking through murky water at an undersea shipwreck or alien landscape or something. It also has elements of daguerrotype photography. The primary shape is blocked off by a velvety soft blue gray that sharpens the contrast of the lines and highlights the juxtaposition of clean and grimy/filthy/photographic. Weezy always great to read your thoughts and posts on your collection, weezy! lovely piece. its always great to have new artists/galleries brought up on the forum as artchival does have a tendency to become a bit of an echo-chamber for the same small group of artists. |
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Post by Weezy on Jan 2, 2012 19:20:59 GMT -8
Micallef as it hangs (for now) with Ian Francis in the living room. Weezy Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on Jan 2, 2012 19:32:27 GMT -8
Micallef, Head with Gold (2011). This photo shows how the reflectiveness of the gold leaf makes the velvety softness of the degraded paper which was worked violently (while wet?) to produce the head really pop, adding great dimension to the piece. It's almost like the image slowly emerged through decay and gives the piece a haunted feel. The digitals really don't do it justice because you can't accurately capture the reflected light of the gold. Weezy Attachments:
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Post by epicfai on Jan 2, 2012 20:02:16 GMT -8
Micallef, Head with Gold (2011). This photo shows how the reflectiveness of the gold leaf makes the velvety softness of the degraded paper which was worked violently (while wet?) to produce the head really pop, adding great dimension to the piece. It's almost like the image slowly emerged through decay and gives the piece a haunted feel. The digitals really don't do it justice because you can't accurately capture the reflected light of the gold. Weezy Congrats on the new arrival, Weezy. Would love to see some close-up detail shots if you get a chance. |
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Post by Weezy on Jan 7, 2012 18:56:19 GMT -8
Annie Lapin, "Wall Still for the Place Communion Place" (2011). Oil on on canvas. Purchased from Annarumma Gallery, Naples Italy from Annie's Idyll Idol Show in October. Why I purchased it: There's a visceral beauty to her work. It's abstract but it references Old Master elements though the palette and its composition on the canvas. What makes it magic is how it teeters on the edge of something identifiable, and in so doing frees the imagination to see more in its possibility than any greater effort at depiction. I see a spirit ephemera dancing in the molten light at the edge of a forest, with a hidden figure peering out at the spectacle, a narrative that takes the mind yet further into possibility... The mood of the painting shifts in different light. It's subtle in its palette, but it dominates the eye in the room. You have to look at it. I really think Lapin is a genius, and she keeps getting better as she works. I feel so lucky to have this in my collection. It's a truly spectacular piece of art. Weezy Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on Jan 7, 2012 18:58:31 GMT -8
This gives you a sense of the size and of its dominating presence in the room. Next up... Framing! I'm going to have to borrow or rent an SUV to bring it in though. My car is too small. Weezy Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on Feb 4, 2012 16:16:07 GMT -8
She has arrived. Amazing presence. Couldn't be happier-- also with the grass pedestal I made for her. It is all exactly as I envisioned it. Jinyoung Yu, Disguise (2010), pvc and painted ceramic. Attachments:
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Post by Weezy on Feb 4, 2012 16:16:48 GMT -8
In the living room. Not sure if this is the right place... Weezy Attachments:
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Post by epicfai on Feb 4, 2012 23:26:27 GMT -8
looks fantastic. love the pedestal too.
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Post by Weezy on Feb 5, 2012 0:00:03 GMT -8
Thanks Epic. You back from that awesome vacation? How was it?
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Post by thejoker on Feb 5, 2012 0:06:49 GMT -8
It does look great. And a nice mix of contemporary/antique/ vintage going on in that room.
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Post by epicfai on Feb 5, 2012 0:14:09 GMT -8
Thanks Epic. You back from that awesome vacation? How was it? i forgot to add that your lapin also looks great in that shot. still on vacation. enjoying the sea breeze here in indo as i type this. great diving out here. off now to hunt down an afternoon beer. cheers!  |
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