Author: Sam Art

Julian Jollon, an artist formally educated in Fine Arts, Photography, and Painting, has had an artistic path marked by resilience, renewal, and a profound exploration of the human spirit. After a hiatus of 15 years, during which he underwent a life-changing liver transplant and retired from a career in Hospital Epidemiology, Julian Jollon returned to the world of art with a renewed sense of purpose. His comeback wasn’t just about resuming his artistic endeavors; it was a rebirth, a reconnection to his passion for visual expression. At the core of Jollon’s current focus lies the exploration of abstractions related to…

Keith Haring was able to paint the brightly colored mural in the library of an Iowa City elementary school in a single day, but it was the culmination of years of correspondence with his students. He first visited Ernest Horn Elementary School in 1984, during a residency arranged with the University of Iowa after an art teacher at Horn, Colleen Ernst, initiated a pen-pal exchange. His letter writing continued in the following years, although Haring’s fame grew; students sent him a VHS of themselves singing Happy Birthday, which Haring said was a favorite gift.When he returned on May 22, 1989,…

Judy Widener is an American artist who has been waltzing with brushes and colors since the tender age of five. Her canvas isn’t just a surface for paint; it’s a portal where life breathes, where stories unfurl with each stroke. Widener’s artistic journey isn’t confined to a single path. Instead, it’s a meandering river flowing through various landscapes of human and animal experiences. Her palette, diverse as her own life, captures the graceful elegance of equine portraits as effortlessly as it embraces the playful charm of children. But she doesn’t stop there. From the vibrant hues of tropical paradises to…

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on Thursday (2 May) that Italy can continue to claim an ancient Greek bronze statue known as the Victorious Youth that has been in the collection of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles since 1977.The ruling is the latest chapter in a decades-long dispute between the Getty and Italian authorities over the life-size statue, which dates back to 300 BC. C. to 100 a. C. (some attribute it to the sculptor Lysippus) and that it was taken from the Adriatic Sea. by Italian fishermen off the coast of Fano in 1964. In…

Nestled in the vibrant landscapes of Northern California, Judy Gittelsohn has carved out a niche as an artist, educator, and community builder since 1977. Her canvas is a playground where color dances with form, and every stroke tells a story of exploration and meaning. Approaching her craft with boundless enthusiasm, Gittelsohn’s paintings are a testament to her playful creativity. Each piece is a poem of tone and intensity, gracefully morphing into dynamic shapes that invite viewers to dive into a world where painted spaces and patterns speak in symbolic tongues. From people to animals, fruit to landscapes, her subjects are…

Frank Stella, a leading figure in abstract art for the past 65 years, has died aged 87. Her death last May 4, at home in New York, was announced by the Marianne Boesky Gallery, which has represented Stella since 2014.The gallery paid tribute to how Stella’s “extraordinary and constantly evolving work investigated the formal and narrative possibilities of geometry and color and the boundaries between painting and objectivity.” “It has been a great honor to work with Frank over this past decade,” said Marianne Boesky. “His is a remarkable legacy.”Frank Stella made an instant name in 1959 with his stark…

Sigrid Thaler, born in Italy and currently calling Milan her home, embarks on an artistic journey that serves as a testament to the richness of experiences she brings to her work. With a background in illustration, Thaler spent years collaborating on various projects, including notable works like “MODERN ART” and “Zombicide” with the CMON company. However, her artistic career didn’t stop there. Driven by a desire to delve deeper into the realm of painting, she embarked on a journey to refine her skills and explore new horizons. Thaler’s art is a tapestry woven from the threads of her diverse upbringing…

Sam van Deventer, the director of the Kröller-Müller Museum during World War II, was deeply involved in collaboration with the Nazis, according to a new biography. Ariëtte Dekker discovered a disturbing story in her book The Confidant: Sam van Deventer (1888-1972)published in Dutch this week by Prometheus.In 1942, Van Deventer even organized a family party for the 50th birthday of Arthur Seyss-Inquart, the Reich Commissioner for the German occupation forces in the Netherlands. Seyss-Inquart created a reign of terror and under his rule some 100,000 Dutch Jews were sent to their deaths. After World War II Seyss-Inquart was found guilty…

In the realm of contemporary art, where boundaries blur and mediums meld, Karma Barnes, a New Zealand-born artist, navigates the intricate interplay between human experience and the natural world. As a conceptual interdisciplinary artist, Barnes orchestrates immersive experiences that transcend traditional artistic confines, provoking introspection and dialogue. Compounded Caldera, Karma Barnes, 2022Images: Byron Flesher, Form and Concept Barnes unveils her modus operandi, a fusion of mediums and techniques aimed at unraveling the complexities of existence. Her practice, spanning installation, painting, sculpture, and participatory engagements, serves as a conduit for existential inquiry, inviting viewers to delve into the depths of their…

Sylvia Nagy’s artistic journey is a vibrant dance between the tangible and the intangible, where colors, forms, and frequencies converge to create mesmerizing expressions of life. In her own words, Nagy’s art is a reflection of her existence, echoing the rhythms and hues of her surroundings. Drawing inspiration from the intricate interplay of colors and energies, Nagy’s palette is alive with vibrant greens, purples, and oranges, each hue pulsating with its own meaning and motivation. Through her hands, these colors morph and blend, intensifying or softening with each firing, creating a symphony of shades that speak volumes. But Nagy’s canvas…