Author: Seraphina Calder

The Venice Biennale arrives, returning for its 60th edition. Thousands of people will flock to the Italian city for the opening of one of the most prestigious events in the art world, barring a few interruptions, since 1895. When it closes at the end of November, more than 800,000 people are likely to have attended (if the year’s record figures past are some indication). Prizes will also be awarded and new stars in contemporary art will be identified. Although the Venice Biennale is one of the most well-known in the world, filled with a rich history and an attractive myth,…

Gala Čaki, hailing from Ečka, Serbia, emerged onto the artistic scene with an innate curiosity for the enigmatic realms of fantastic painting and ambient performance. Born on March 19, 1987, her journey commenced in her hometown and unfolded against the backdrop of Serbia’s rich cultural heritage. Educated in the vibrant city of Zrenjanin, Gala’s immersion in Serbia’s thriving arts scene undoubtedly shaped her artistic vision. This foundation propelled her towards the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, where she earned dual Master Degrees in Painting and Drawing in 2011. Gala’s artwork, “Thinker,” rendered in oil on linen canvas, dimensions 200x140cm,…

Photography “turns the whole world into a graveyard,” wrote Susan Sontag. “Photographers, connoisseurs of beauty, are also, knowingly or unwittingly, the recording angels of death.”Sontag was writing a year before her book was published About Photography (1977), expanding the subject in what remains a key text on the environment and its influence on society. The words appeared in an essay to go with a book by a photographer little known beyond his bohemian circle of friends and acquaintances, the demi-monde of New York’s downtown scene in the mid-1970s. It was the only book the photographer published, 11 years before his…

Marina Chisty, a Russian-American artist currently based in the bustling metropolis of New York City, reflects the multifaceted nature of urban existence through her work. From an early age, Marina’s journey into the realm of art began in the nurturing environment of a children’s art school in Russia. It was here that she first discovered her innate talent and developed a deep appreciation for the expressive potential of abstract and figurative forms. Rooted in her Russian heritage, Marina’s artistic identity was shaped by an inclination towards abstraction and the symbolic use of color. Throughout her artistic evolution, Marina has remained…

Art is long, life is short warns the banner about Audrey Flack in his recent Self portrait with burning heart (2022). The formidable nineteen-year-old artist, whose artistic career and life have indeed been enviably long (especially compared to the multitude of abstract expressionists with whom she has already rolled), presents us with a Sacred Heart on fire. If one of his idols, Albrecht Dürer, could paint himself as Christ, then surely he can present himself as the Virgin Mary, as he does here with the Star of David pendant that symbolizes that he is also a Jewish mother. A crossed…

It might seem like gilding the lily to devote a two-part exhibition to a single historical event, and yet the result, “Paris 1874: Inventing Impressionism,” is a revelation. In it, the Musée d’Orsay presents a show about a show, specifically, the first Impressionist exhibition, which opened 150 years ago and started what we think of as modern art. The central exhibition, which commemorates the anniversary of that defining moment, is accompanied by a virtual reality component, the first time such a wide-ranging immersive technology has been used to enhance the experience of fine art. This side show, “Tonight with the…

David Reid, an Australian artist with over 30 years of experience, graduated from the University of New South Wales with a degree in Fine Arts. Reid’s work resonates with his deep engagement with the world, translating his experiences into captivating paintings. Drawing inspiration from luminaries of Australian Modernism like Ian Fairweather and Tony Tuckson, Reid’s artistic journey has been shaped by his collaborations with mentors such as John Olsen, John Firth-Smith, and Tim Storrier. However, it’s his profound connection with Chinese art that truly sets him apart. His fascination with Chinese culture, cultivated since his teenage years, has led to…

Titled “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania,” the exhibit, which opened Saturday, brings these imagined structures to life in a whole new way. Co-hosted by the Westmoreland Museum of American Art and Fallingwater, guests can explore Wright’s completed and unrealized projects to gain a broader understanding of his cohesive vision for the area. To visualize the projects, Skyline Ink Animators + Illustrators created lifelike animated films, allowing virtual exploration of Wright’s designs. Visitors will be able to view three films showcasing the projects, offering a multimedia “walk” through the unbuilt projects. Each animation will focus specifically on materials, textures, light and…

Frank Gasbarro, an American artist, delves into the realm of abstraction where familiar shapes and colors collide with the unknown, creating a visual language that is uniquely his own. In Gasbarro’s world, objects are not bound by reality but instead exist in a realm of imagination, inviting viewers to explore the depths of their own perceptions. Gasbarro’s paintings, such as the mesmerizing “In This Moment,” challenge traditional notions of art. At first glance, his work may seem familiar, with strong patterns and vibrant colors drawing the eye. However, upon closer inspection, the viewer is confronted with a world that is…

Elizabeth Laul Healey, an American artist known for her artistic expression and the solemnity of social activism, has an upcoming exhibition at the SD Art Advisory & Gallery. It is a journey through the intersection of art, politics, and human rights. Born and raised in the scenic haven of Laguna Beach, with stints of her life spent in both San Diego and North Carolina, Healey’s artistic vision is deeply rooted in her upbringing and her familial heritage. The daughter of Dr. Karen Lundegaard, a human rights and women’s activist, and Virgil Laul, an immigrant from Estonia, Healey’s art is infused…