the art collectors

Archive for August, 2009

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Making Something from Nothing :: Beautiful Losers Released in UK, Inspires London Exhibit

Ivory Serra – Installation View of Alleged Gallery, 2001 (via: Watch This Space)

If you are reading this, chances are you are already familiar with Beautiful Losers, the traveling art exhibit turned documentary film celebrating a group of artists who emerged out of New York’s Alleged Gallery in the early 90s, joined together by the DIY aesthetics of punk rock, hip-hop and skateboarding. The marks of artists like Barry McGee, Shepard Fairey, Geoff McFetridge, Mike Mills and Harmonie Korine are widely acknowledged in popular art, design, film, and fashion. Now, a new exhibition in London takes up the Beautiful Losers calling to “Make Something From Nothing,” featuring a group of emerging UK artists.

DIY London Seen, an exhibition documenting the work of, and inspired by the artists featured in the film, opened today, coinciding with Beautiful ‘Losers UK DVD release and run at the London Institute of Contemporary Arts. Organized by Watch This Space, the show features a group of young London artists whose work embodies the spirit of the film, alongside the photography of original Loser, Cheryl Dunn, and Ivory Serra, who documented the rise of the Beautiful Losers’ artists throughout the 90s.  DIY London Seen runs August 17 –  September 5 at  2009 at The Market Building in Covent Garden.

DIY LONDON SEEN
August 17 – Sept 5
The Market Building
Covent Garden
London, UK WC2 8RF
Participating Artists: Arran Gregory, Aidan O’Neill, Best One, Chrissie Abbott, Clare Shilland, Charlie Woolley, Cheryl Dunn, Gustav Svanborg Edén, Graham Hudson, Harry Malt, Ivory Serra, Jethro Haynes, Marc Silver, Marcus Oakley, Niall O’Brien, Nick Jensen, Robin Clare, Sam Ashley and Toby Shuall, Ricky Adams, Rita Bored, XXXXXX, Mat Pringle and Sam Szulc

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Quality Art Still Sells :: Joshua Liner’s Summer Show

The current mantra being echoed in auction house halls and on dealers’ calls is that despite the slowdown in art buying, there is still a strong audience and market for quality works of art.  As the dust settles over the mediocre, Joshua Liner further proves which side of the fence he falls on with the opening of an overwhelmingly strong show this past Saturday.  Liner’s Summer Group Exhibition includes many well-known painters, highlighted by Radioheads’ longtime visual guru, Stanley Downwood, Greg Craola Simkins, and Dave Kinsey, along with some very recognizable younger talents who have gained fast followings, like Chloe Early (who also shows with London’s Stolen Space) and Cleon Peterson (a member of Shepard Fairey’s Studio Number One design team).

Equally deserving are some of the lesser known bold new additions to the gallery including James Roper, Ryan McLennan and Tristram Lansdowne. Not surprising, there was a noticeable buzz amongst the crowd, who shared in the refreshing excitement of such a vast and impressive lineup. And with many of the works already sold, there’s proof that collectors will still open their wallets for undeniably and irresistibly good art.

Read on for our exclusive photos from opening night and full list of participating artists.  Click images for larger views.

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Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Update :: Conor Harrington Mural Liberated

The newly uncovered Conor Harrington mural at the corner of W. 13 and Washington Streets in NYC. (Image: Public Ad Campaign)

Earlier this week we reported that an unsolicited  New York City street mural created by British painter Conor Harrington had been covered with illegal NPA City Outdoor advertising without necessary permits. Last night a Facebook post from Dickchicken alerted us to the mural’s liberation. It looks like The Public Ad Campaign and Chicken took matters into their own hands, removing the billboard frame from the wall. While we are happy to see that Conor’s piece is once again visible, the entire story does raise interesting questions in the debate over the use of public space.

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Preview :: Shawn Barber at the Shooting Gallery

(All Images: © Shawn Barber/The Shooting Gallery SF)

Shawn Barber opens a new solo show this Sturday, August 15 at The Shooting Gallery SF, continuing his deeply personal and human series of Tattooed Portraits. As you can see from our preview of some of the new paintings that will be on view, this one’s well worth your time.

Video © Fecal Face

Shawn Barber – Tattooed Portraits: Snapshots
August 15 – Sept.  8
The Shooting Gallery SF
839 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Ryan McGinness to Create First Site-Specific Work

(Images © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)

Artinfo reports that Ryan McGinness has been commissioned by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (with additional funding from the National Endowment for the Arts) to create a mural based on the museum’s collection for the entrance hall of their new wing. Though the 26 panel mural will continue with Mcginness’ use of iconography, the artist notes this is the first time he will base a piece on one specific body of work and place. For more insight into the project and a preview of some of the site-specific images McGinness has created, watch this interview with VMFA curator, John Ravenal.

(Video © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)

Ryan McGinness and VMFA curator John Ravenal (Image: Travis Fullerton © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)

In other news, late last week Arkitip announced the availability of 50 free unique silkscreened posters from Ryan’s studio to accompany new orders for issue #48, which released last September. The offer went out to the Arkitip Elist and was only open to subscribers. If you don’t already get their updates, join now

Image: Arkitip

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Illegal Ads Cover Illegal Art

Image: amolho4

Looks like this great Conor Harrington that quietly resided for the past ten month on the corner of W. 13th and Washington Streets in Manhattan’s West Village has finally run it’s course. It would be disappointing but understandable if the mural had been defaced by other graffiti writers or reclaimed by the wall’s rightful owners. Instead, it has been covered by yet another illegal NPA City Outdoor advertisement, which the Public Ad Campaign have been diligently documenting. Keep up the good work guys, and a nod to LunaPark as well for being early on the lead.

Image: sabeth718

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Five Years of T Magazine Covers

Banks Violette

The Moment is running a week long daily feature recapping the past five years of  T Magazine covers. Since 2004, The New York Times Style Magazine has curated an artistically playful group of artists and designers to reinterpret the classic T logo, including Banks Violette, Oscar De La Renta and Steve Powers.  So far, two years of covers have been reviewed, with three days and three more to go. Here’s a few of our favorites so far. See them all by Friday here.

Friday, August 7th, 2009

Ad Hoc Bids Farewell

Video: Brooklyn Street Art

Tonight, Ad Hoc Art opens its last exhibition, appropriately one of their strongest to date, with a joint show from Armsrock and Chris Stain. While Ad Hoc and its Peripheral Media Projects print shop are not disappearing altogether, they will be trimming much of their 49 Bogart St. Brooklyn space and scaling back operations as a formal gallery to focus on the more sustainable aspects of their business. So, while the gallery that showed early support to young, emerging artists like Swoon, Judith Supine and Bast will cease to exist, the individuals and spirit behind the organization will continue on through alternative projects and collaborations requiring less of a financial burden. Co-founder and Owner, Garrison Buxton sent out a lengthy and heartfelt letter, explaining the current state and future vision for Ad Hoc, which we excerpt after the jump:

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Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Zevz Hit with $870,000 Fine

Video: SCMP

After being arrested and detained in Hong Kong last month for unlawfully applying one of his signature liquidated Chanel logos to the exterior of an Armani boutique, French artist Zevz (that’s “Zeus”), whose real name is Christophe Shwarz, has been fined a punitive $870,000 US (HK$6,746,000). While authorities have been quite harsh in their judgement, the artist’s Liquidated Logos exhibit is still on view and runs till September 30 at Art Statements Gallery. If you were ever thinking of purchasing one of his works, now’s probably a good time to support.

Info: Artnet

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Sea Shepherd Art Benefit to feature Shepard Fairey, Jeff Soto, Greg Simkins, Anthony Lister + more

Anyone who has seen an episode of the enthralling Animal Planet series, Whale Wars, is familiar with Captain Paul Watson and his Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who risk life and limb to police the world’s waters and preserve marine life, often directly confronting poachers on the open seas. On August 29, the Sea No Evil Art Show will be held in Riverside, California (near Los Angeles), with all proceeds benefiting the non-profit environmental organization. Watson is scheduled to speak and Shepard Fairey (along with donating art) will act as DJ. See below for the full list of 60+ participating artists.

Those not able to attend but who want to support the Sea Shepherd cause can donate directly to the organization or make a charitable purchase of additionally available artwork here.

Sea No Evil Art Show 2009
Saturday, August 29
Riverside Municipal Auditorium
3485 Mission Inn Ave.
Riverside, CA 92501
info: erin@seashepherdartshow.com

Participating Artists: Anthony Lister, Arnold Cornelio, Ashley Macomber, Bwana Spoons, Cathie Bleck, Cali Dewitt, Chivo, Chris Rubino, Chris Ryniak, Greg Craola Simkins, Dave Cooper, Dave Kinsey, Deph, Jose Mercado / Dire, Dustin Ortiz, Dylan Martorell, Fabian Iezzi, Jonathan Garcia, Justin Heathcoat “Faceless”, George Thompson, Glen E. Friedman, Gregory Euclide, Gretchen Ryan, Heather Carlton “Hezaa”, Joshua M. Smith / Hydro74, Iqvinder Singh, Jeff Phillips, Jeff Soto, Jeffrey Pidgeon, Jennifer Becker, Jon Chase, Kevin Christy, Kevin Peterson, Logan Hicks, Lola, Louis Henderson, Madsteez, Marc Hemeon, Mario Martinez (Mars-1), Maxx242, Maya Hayuk, Melinda Read, Michael Muller, Michael Sieben, Mike Stilkey, Munk One, Nathan Fischer, Neko, Oliver Sutter, Peggy Oki, Priscilla Iezzi, Renee Lawter, Renta, Ryan Jacob Smith, Scott Morse, Shaunna Peterson, Shepard Fairey, Six Gun Drums, Steven Daily, Tim Biskup, Travis Millard