Art Basel Miami Blog
Hello from Art Blogger Grrl. Welcome to my (art) world!
If you're going on the Wynwood Art Walk on Dec. 13, you do NOT want to miss this!
Miami Art Space is the new hot spot in Wynwood!
"Dreaming Purvis Young"
Saturday, December 13, 2008
7pm-10pm
Converse with the artist Purvis Young about his inspirations.
Featuring works from the 1970s and new paintinggs on wood, paper and other found objects.
Miami Art Space
Exhibit Hours:
Wednesday 12/10 10 am-4pm
Thursday 12/11 10am-4pm
Friday 12/12 10am-6pm
Saturday 12/13 10am-10pm
Miami Art Space's opening reception for the Purvis Young & Steve Alvin show during Art Basel was absolutely incredible. And the closing night on Dec. 13 promises to be just as exciting.
Along with a close-up view of the artistic dreams of a living legend, Purvis Young, in a FANTASTIC space, the other artists on exhibit are BEYOND amazing. I'm posting pics tomorrow so stay tuned!
I went to a ton of cool events during Art Basel and I'm telling you...Miami Art Space is the HOT spot in Wynwood. Talented artists, a fabulous gallery, friendly faces and lots of fun, not to mention four of the cleanest restrooms I've ever seen in a pubic venue. And to us GlamGrrls, that means a LOT!
Press Release for Purvis Young & Art Basel Show for Media and Public Use
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: ArtNewsWriter@Yahoo.com
LOCAL MIAMI ARTISTS PURVIS YOUNG & Steve Alvin ON EXHIBIT AT MIAMI ART SPACE, ALONG WITH OTHER LOCAL & & INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
Friday, Dec. 5 – Saturday, Dec.13, 2008
(Miami FL) While the focus might seem to be on the international artists and mega fairs converging on Miami during Art Basel, Miami local Purvis Young, one of America’s top contemporary artists, rises to the top. During the first 3 days of Art Basel, all eyes will be on Purvis Young.
On Dec. 4, he will be named as one of the Rubell Family Collection’s select “Top 30 Contemporary Artists. On Dec. 5, he will receive The Key to the City of Miami, a renovated mural he created decades ago will be unveiled, and a retrospective of his work from 1975 to 2005 will open at Miami Art Space (MAS), 244 NW 35th Street in Miami.
For Young and his fans, the excitement culminates Dec. 6 at Miami Art Space with a meet-n-greet reception and a live auction event benefiting several wonderful local/national charities.
“This is truly a rare and wonderful event,” said Clare Vickery, a partner of the Basel MAS (Miami Art Space) exhibit and owner of Grace Café & Galleries in Dania Beach, the gallery with the longest ongoing exhibition and sale of Young’s works.
“While the work of Purvis Young has been very sought-after in the art world for over 10 years, the MAS exhibit spans over 30 years of his career," Vickery continued. " I am especially pleased to be able to feature him during the Art Basel ‘season’ as he is more than just one of America’s most important contemporary artists, he is truly a “local” inspiration having made Overtown his home, and subject of his art, his whole life."
Vickery featured Purvis during ART MIAMI as the Director’s Choice in 2007 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. She saw how much the public loved him.
"We are really impressed with the outpouring of enthusiasm by the local and international art collecting community to purchase and support this local Miami artist," she added. "In fact, Purvis is an ‘artist’s artist’ – artists are continually coming to our gallery and exhibitions saying that they love Purvis’ work and who he is as a person.”
Alexis McClean, manager at MAS, said the gallery is honored to be hosting a retrospective of Young’s work and an auction that benefits Shake-a-Leg Miami, the United Negro College Fund and Sun Sentinel's Children's Fund.
“For us, this is what being a local Miami gallery is all about; not focusing narrowly on exhibits just for the visitors here during one week of Art Basel, but rather having the freedom to put together exhibits and events that speak to, and support, our local communities while also brining in international artists.”
McClean said she's also excited about the other established and emerging artists who will be part of the show with Purvis.
Among them is another local Miami icon: Steve Alvin, a longtime Miami radio personality and concert promoter, who returns to Miami after recent world travels to present a selection from his extensive creative history.
"Steve brings a natural eye and open mind to his multi-faceted creations," McClean said. "His work is very visceral indeed."
About The Artists:
PURVIS YOUNG: In the award-winning, feature-length documentary about his life, "Purvis of Overtown," famed actress and collector, Jane Fonda, describes her reaction to Purvis Young’s art in these words: “All I knew was that there’s something really powerful and profound going on here. But the first thing that struck me was the hopefulness of the work. "
The artist has lived all of his life in Overtown; it’s influence runs throughout most of his art. Even though Purvis Young’s work is in over 50 museums, including the Smithsonian and the Corcoran, and innumerable collections such as the Rubell Family Collection, he has never given a thought to leaving Overtown. “I paint what I sees…I paint the problems of the world,“ he says. In public, he wears dark shades. He says that's to “hide his tears” at the injustice and sadness he witnesses every day.
STEVE ALVIN:
Through painting, sculpting and photography, Steve Alvin explores the visual art world and "the 4th dimension" in the same way he travels the globe - with a joie de vivre. Fed by the constant stream of stimuli from the world at large, he utilizes an eclectic, dazzling array of styles, techniques and mediums to convey messages about man's past, present and future.
For Alvin, life has included an array of artistic endeavors such as launching one of the world's first live streaming internet radio stations in Miami more than a decade ago, living and working all over the globe, painting with ancient Indian tribes in Central and South America, exhibiting art work in a duo show with a Haitian Voodoo Priest and opening a gallery in Miami's Wynwood Art District, only to have it destroyed by Hurricane Wilma.
That same fierce energy is reflected in Alvin’s work. Viewers often spend long periods of contemplation in front of his work. His work activates all the sensory organs, the subconscious and the imagination.
SHARON WESTBROOK has won numerous awards in juried art exhibits, and her current and evolving style is ‘abstract expressionism’ conveyed purely through the use of form and color. Her strong and unique brushstrokes and use of vibrant colors create a powerful expressionistic style and invite the viewer to reach their own personal interpretation of her art.
ERIC JEAN LOUIS is a Haitian artist who has exhibited world wide and won prestigious recognition for his truly iridescent canvases in the style of the Jacmel School of naturalism and primitive art. He invites the imagination to wander deep into the heart of tropical foliage to transmit ethereal dream visions, where rich sugar cane fields stretch into the horizon where the viewer enters a vibrant universe as night and day merge.
FELIX GONZALEZ: From a whimsical Mermaid formed of rich mahogany, to a surreal, seven foot Sunflower fashioned with gleaming copper petals, Felix Danilo Gonzalez’ sculptures are known for being larger than life and undeniably unique. His “Arte De Soleil” collection is comprised of a variety of woods, metals and recycled materials that are blended together in an unexpected harmony. Working with an array of chainsaws, chisels, welders and gouges, Felix cuts, shapes, molds and mounts the materials into an image from his imagination. He finishes by hand-painting the final details.
GERTRAUD SCHOEN : Her landscapes present imaginary environments of the mind, where human figures move energetically or carefully, or sometimes not at all - trying to establish a ‘place in time.’ Gertraud Schoen’s pictures do not tell stories, nor do they provide an explicit message; rather, they are the result of the artist’s spontaneous and immediate intuition.
About Miami Art Space (MAS):
Miami Art Space (www.MiamiArtSpace.com) is a gorgeous contemporary multi-use event and art space in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District, just seconds from I-95. MAS is a private/walled compound featuring beautiful interior galleries surrounded by bamboo courtyards. MAS has hosted several art events and is establishing itself as one of Miami’s most versatile event and exhibit venues. Address: 244 NW 35 Street Miami FL 33127
About Grace Café & Galleries:
The event is spearheaded by Clare Vickery, owner of Grace Café and Galleries (www.GraceCafeandGalleries.com) of Dania Beach, Florida. Ms. Vickery is an avid art collector who, in additional to owning one of the most extensive private collections of Purvis Young, is also well respected for her support of other emerging Florida and international artists. Ms. Vickery is well established in the South Florida fine arts scene, and served as co-sponsor of ARTMIAMI Director's Choice for 2007 Exhibition at the Miami Beach Convention Center. She’s also a recipient of the South Florida Business Journal’s 2007 Rising Star of Women’s Leadership Award.
About Art Basel in Miami:
Art Basel Miami (www.ArtBaselMiamiBeach.com) and the many satellite art fairs that are held during the same week, are collectively the nation’s largest and most respected contemporary art shows. Thousands of art collectors, museum curators, media representatives and tourists from around the world along with Miami residents attended last year’s Art Basel topping 40,000 visitors, with thousands more attending the many other art-related festivals.
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LOCAL MIAMI ARTISTS PURVIS YOUNG & Steve Alvin ON EXHIBIT AT MIAMI ART SPACE, ALONG WITH OTHER LOCAL & & INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
Friday, Dec. 5 – Saturday, Dec.13, 2008
(Miami FL) While the focus might seem to be on the international artists and mega fairs converging on Miami during Art Basel, Miami local Purvis Young, one of America’s top contemporary artists, rises to the top. During the first 3 days of Art Basel, all eyes will be on Purvis Young.
On Dec. 4, he will be named as one of the Rubell Family Collection’s select “Top 30 Contemporary Artists. On Dec. 5, he will receive The Key to the City of Miami, a renovated mural he created decades ago will be unveiled, and a retrospective of his work from 1975 to 2005 will open at Miami Art Space (MAS), 244 NW 35th Street in Miami.
For Young and his fans, the excitement culminates Dec. 6 at Miami Art Space with a meet-n-greet reception and a live auction event benefiting several wonderful local/national charities.
“This is truly a rare and wonderful event,” said Clare Vickery, a partner of the Basel MAS (Miami Art Space) exhibit and owner of Grace Café & Galleries in Dania Beach, the gallery with the longest ongoing exhibition and sale of Young’s works.
“While the work of Purvis Young has been very sought-after in the art world for over 10 years, the MAS exhibit spans over 30 years of his career," Vickery continued. " I am especially pleased to be able to feature him during the Art Basel ‘season’ as he is more than just one of America’s most important contemporary artists, he is truly a “local” inspiration having made Overtown his home, and subject of his art, his whole life."
Vickery featured Purvis during ART MIAMI as the Director’s Choice in 2007 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. She saw how much the public loved him.
"We are really impressed with the outpouring of enthusiasm by the local and international art collecting community to purchase and support this local Miami artist," she added. "In fact, Purvis is an ‘artist’s artist’ – artists are continually coming to our gallery and exhibitions saying that they love Purvis’ work and who he is as a person.”
Alexis McClean, manager at MAS, said the gallery is honored to be hosting a retrospective of Young’s work and an auction that benefits Shake-a-Leg Miami, the United Negro College Fund and Sun Sentinel's Children's Fund.
“For us, this is what being a local Miami gallery is all about; not focusing narrowly on exhibits just for the visitors here during one week of Art Basel, but rather having the freedom to put together exhibits and events that speak to, and support, our local communities while also brining in international artists.”
McClean said she's also excited about the other established and emerging artists who will be part of the show with Purvis.
Among them is another local Miami icon: Steve Alvin, a longtime Miami radio personality and concert promoter, who returns to Miami after recent world travels to present a selection from his extensive creative history.
"Steve brings a natural eye and open mind to his multi-faceted creations," McClean said. "His work is very visceral indeed."
About The Artists:
PURVIS YOUNG: In the award-winning, feature-length documentary about his life, "Purvis of Overtown," famed actress and collector, Jane Fonda, describes her reaction to Purvis Young’s art in these words: “All I knew was that there’s something really powerful and profound going on here. But the first thing that struck me was the hopefulness of the work. "
The artist has lived all of his life in Overtown; it’s influence runs throughout most of his art. Even though Purvis Young’s work is in over 50 museums, including the Smithsonian and the Corcoran, and innumerable collections such as the Rubell Family Collection, he has never given a thought to leaving Overtown. “I paint what I sees…I paint the problems of the world,“ he says. In public, he wears dark shades. He says that's to “hide his tears” at the injustice and sadness he witnesses every day.
STEVE ALVIN:
Through painting, sculpting and photography, Steve Alvin explores the visual art world and "the 4th dimension" in the same way he travels the globe - with a joie de vivre. Fed by the constant stream of stimuli from the world at large, he utilizes an eclectic, dazzling array of styles, techniques and mediums to convey messages about man's past, present and future.
For Alvin, life has included an array of artistic endeavors such as launching one of the world's first live streaming internet radio stations in Miami more than a decade ago, living and working all over the globe, painting with ancient Indian tribes in Central and South America, exhibiting art work in a duo show with a Haitian Voodoo Priest and opening a gallery in Miami's Wynwood Art District, only to have it destroyed by Hurricane Wilma.
That same fierce energy is reflected in Alvin’s work. Viewers often spend long periods of contemplation in front of his work. His work activates all the sensory organs, the subconscious and the imagination.
SHARON WESTBROOK has won numerous awards in juried art exhibits, and her current and evolving style is ‘abstract expressionism’ conveyed purely through the use of form and color. Her strong and unique brushstrokes and use of vibrant colors create a powerful expressionistic style and invite the viewer to reach their own personal interpretation of her art.
ERIC JEAN LOUIS is a Haitian artist who has exhibited world wide and won prestigious recognition for his truly iridescent canvases in the style of the Jacmel School of naturalism and primitive art. He invites the imagination to wander deep into the heart of tropical foliage to transmit ethereal dream visions, where rich sugar cane fields stretch into the horizon where the viewer enters a vibrant universe as night and day merge.
FELIX GONZALEZ: From a whimsical Mermaid formed of rich mahogany, to a surreal, seven foot Sunflower fashioned with gleaming copper petals, Felix Danilo Gonzalez’ sculptures are known for being larger than life and undeniably unique. His “Arte De Soleil” collection is comprised of a variety of woods, metals and recycled materials that are blended together in an unexpected harmony. Working with an array of chainsaws, chisels, welders and gouges, Felix cuts, shapes, molds and mounts the materials into an image from his imagination. He finishes by hand-painting the final details.
GERTRAUD SCHOEN : Her landscapes present imaginary environments of the mind, where human figures move energetically or carefully, or sometimes not at all - trying to establish a ‘place in time.’ Gertraud Schoen’s pictures do not tell stories, nor do they provide an explicit message; rather, they are the result of the artist’s spontaneous and immediate intuition.
About Miami Art Space (MAS):
Miami Art Space (www.MiamiArtSpace.com) is a gorgeous contemporary multi-use event and art space in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District, just seconds from I-95. MAS is a private/walled compound featuring beautiful interior galleries surrounded by bamboo courtyards. MAS has hosted several art events and is establishing itself as one of Miami’s most versatile event and exhibit venues. Address: 244 NW 35 Street Miami FL 33127
About Grace Café & Galleries:
The event is spearheaded by Clare Vickery, owner of Grace Café and Galleries (www.GraceCafeandGalleries.com) of Dania Beach, Florida. Ms. Vickery is an avid art collector who, in additional to owning one of the most extensive private collections of Purvis Young, is also well respected for her support of other emerging Florida and international artists. Ms. Vickery is well established in the South Florida fine arts scene, and served as co-sponsor of ARTMIAMI Director's Choice for 2007 Exhibition at the Miami Beach Convention Center. She’s also a recipient of the South Florida Business Journal’s 2007 Rising Star of Women’s Leadership Award.
About Art Basel in Miami:
Art Basel Miami (www.ArtBaselMiamiBeach.com) and the many satellite art fairs that are held during the same week, are collectively the nation’s largest and most respected contemporary art shows. Thousands of art collectors, museum curators, media representatives and tourists from around the world along with Miami residents attended last year’s Art Basel topping 40,000 visitors, with thousands more attending the many other art-related festivals.
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