Author: Sam Art
Amid the tranquil landscapes of Bakhmaro, Georgia, photographer Stephan Zirwes captures the essence of serenity. The “Bakhmaro Huts” series, originating in the spring of 2023, whisks us away to a mystical wonderland where simplicity harmonizes with the pristine beauty of untouched snow. Through these minimalist compositions, Zirwes extends an invitation to escape the bustle of city life, providing a zen-like experience that brings solace to the restless mind. Stephan Zirwes, a name synonymous with artistic brilliance, has once again left the world in awe with his latest works. His new collection, featuring stunning images of tree landscapes at night, is…
In 2013, Andy Warhol Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster), a 1963 painting depicting an image of a bloody accident printed many times, sold at Sotheby’s for $104.5 million, making it the most expensive work by the Pop artist ever to be auctioned. But in an alternate world, that painting—or a version of it, anyway—sold for $106 million during a silent auction that was intercepted by two undercover spies. That alternate world is portrayed Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Amazon’s new TV series about an arranged espionage marriage between two employees of a shadowy organization. The titular couple, played by Donald Glover…
Clint Anthony is a Visual Artist renowned for his expertise in Abstract, Modern, and Graphic Design. With a background steeped in the vibrant art scene of New York City, spanning over two decades from 1996 to 2017, Anthony’s work is imbued with the energy and diversity of the metropolis. During his time in NYC, he collaborated on various art exhibitions, at The Gershwin Hotel, and delved into the realms of video and photography, enriching his artistic palette. Anthony’s artistic journey was further shaped by his studies at The Studio House, where he honed his skills in abstract painting, color theory,…
David Burch‘s artistic journey is as intriguing as his vibrant and expressive paintings. Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, Burch’s story takes unexpected turns, leading him from a career in sociology to becoming an abstract expressionist painter. In 1967, at the age of 23, Burch earned his second Degree, First Class Honours in Sociology, from the University of Calgary. Subsequently, he packed his bags and ventured eastward to Toronto, where he spent 28 years of his life. Little did he know that this move would mark the beginning of his transformation into an art collector and later, a seasoned painter.…
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on On Balance, to ARTnews newsletter on the art market and beyond. Sign up here to receive it every Wednesday. Artist and publisher Corina Larkin it’s been a while since he looked Ted Berger, executive director emeritus of the New York Foundation for the Arts, as a mentor. For years, she consulted Berger, once called the “angel on the shoulders of thousands of struggling artists” by New York Times—about how to finance artist-led projects. During her tenure as executive director of Chelsea’s CUE Art Foundation, Larkin and Berger, who serves as CUE’s board chair,…
Vicky Tsalamata, an artist hailing from Athens, Greece, has recently unveiled her captivating new artwork titled “Dreamland.” This series of 12 lithographs, crafted using the Algraphy method and printed on an etching press, is a profound commentary on the human condition, both past and present, highlighting the sense of unfreedom and isolation prevalent in contemporary society. What sets “Dreamland” apart is not only its thematic depth but also the intricate process behind its creation. Tsalamata embarked on a month-long residency at the prestigious Printmaking Studio in Dresden, Germany, known as “Dresden Grafikwerkstatt.” It was within this vibrant artistic environment that…
The friendship between Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat was a captivating fusion of artistic brilliance, cultural diversity, and the dynamic intersection of two iconic figures in the world of contemporary art. Their relationship, marked by a unique blend of mentorship, collaboration, and mutual admiration, left an indelible mark on the art world, challenging traditional boundaries and redefining the concept of artistic collaboration. Andy Warhol, the legendary figure of the Pop Art movement, was already an established artist in the 1980s when he encountered the young and rising star, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Warhol, known for his fascination with celebrity culture and consumerism,…
Finland’s largest art museum, the Ateneo, has changed artist Ilya Repin’s nationality from Russian to Ukrainian following a campaign by Ukrainians for the institution to recognize his true heritage. As first reported by Finnish news site Suomen Kuvalehti, Repin, a 19th-century realist painter, was first cataloged by the museum in 2021 as Russian. The decision sparked protest from some Ukrainians, most notably Ukrainian journalist Anna Lodygina, who wrote a thorough investigation for Pravda of Ukraine in which he proved that he was born in territory belonging to the current Ukraine. Related Articles According to museum records, Repin’s parents were Russian…
Tate Modern has continued to expand the reach of its curatorial team with the announcement of two new curators specializing in Asia-Pacific art. Alvin Li and Hera Chan will join as curator, international art and deputy curator, Asia-Pacific, respectively.The appointments are supported as part of a partnership with the Asymmetry Art Foundation, a London-based non-profit organization focused on promoting the work of curators with experience in Asian art.Both Chan and Li arrive with substantial and divergent sets of experience under their belts. Chan is currently a deputy curator at the Tate as well as a visiting professor at the Korea…
ArtTara DalbowPortrait of Jessie Homer French by Ryan Schude. Courtesy of Various Small Fires. Stealth bombers, wind farms, controlled burns and cemeteries – these are some of the things self-taught artist Jessie Homer French, 83, finds beautiful. She said it bluntly before the opening act of her solo exhibition at Various Small Fires in Los Angeles, and is surprised to learn that not everyone would describe them that way. “Surely other people find stealth bombers beautiful, and shoot? Fire is absolutely beautiful.” Coming from someone else, the sentiment might register as fake or intentionally polemical, but looking at Homer French’s…