I worked at LIFE magazine in the late 80’s/early 90s. As I headed up to Rockefeller Center yesterday, I walked into the Time-Life Building to see the lobby artwork that I’d walked by every day for seven years. I was in the production department and worked extremely long hours, so I was generally the last one to leave. I loved walking by the art in … Continue reading Time-Life Building in New York, NY
I had to go see the KAWS bronze at Rockefeller Center, before it gets taken down tomorrow. I spent my twenties walking by Rockefeller Center as I worked nearby. I loved watching the ice skaters on the rink during my lunch break. In May I saw the Sanford Biggers sculpture at Rockefeller Center, and was excited to see the replacement. If you missed my blog … Continue reading KAWS at Rockefeller Center in New York, NY
Having loved Nancy Blum’s work at the 28th Street IRT station in New York City, I decided to look further into the MTA Art & Design program, which brings public art to the NYC subway stations. I learned that one of my favorite artists, Katherine Bradford, recently had five mosaic murals installed at the L train First Avenue station in Manhattan. Yesterday I walked across … Continue reading Katherine Bradford at the L train First Avenue station in New York, NY
The night after going to the opening of the SPRING/BREAK Art Show I was fortunate to attend the Art on Paper opening at Manhattan’s Pier 36. Everyone was masked, and the aisles were wide. There were 75 galleries, and people I wanted to meet in person. While I have truly enjoyed ZOOM classes, and all the great on line gallery exhibitions and talks, during the … Continue reading Art on Paper in New York, NY
I saw Brian Rochefort’s show Absorption by the Sun at the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara in the Fall of 2019, right before I began this blog. I’ve been watching Rochefort’s career for years, and he just gets better and better. Today he was the featured guest artist at the 92nd Street Y’s Virtual Clay program, in which I’ve been a dedicated participant since … Continue reading Brian Rochefort in Santa Barbara, CA
The subway station at 28th Street and Lexington Avenue (6 train) in New York City has recently reopened, after an extensive renovation, with the loveliest mosaic art installation by artist Nancy Blum. “Called Roaming Underfoot, this blossoming glasswork by Nancy Blum was commissioned by MTA Arts & Design, a program that brings public art to the New York City Subway. The site-specific series features seven … Continue reading Nancy Blum at the 28th Street IRT station in New York, NY
I have a lot to share from my trip to New York City, and I will get to that this week. I tend to burn the candle at both ends and after a wedding in North Carolina, a week in New York City (including two separate day trips to Philly), I stopped in Kansas City for 48 hours. I grew up in Kansas, and don’t … Continue reading 48 hours in Kansas City
I’m planning on spending a lot more time in New York City as my kids all live in the vicinity. Fortunately the timing of this visit coincided with the Armory Arts Week which I’ll be attending over the next few days. Last night I went to the SPRING/BREAK Art Show which took over two empty floors in what once was Ralph Lauren’s office space on … Continue reading SPRING/BREAK Art Show in New York, NY
After my great visit yesterday to the Ackland Art Museum at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, I had really hoped to see the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. It has unfortunately been closed and doesn’t open until September 9th. It definitely looks well worth a visit if you are in the area. Instead we went to the Duke Gardens, and the weather, … Continue reading Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC
I’m in Chapel Hill this weekend for a wedding, and spent the day exploring the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Not only was it fun to see college students out and about, but I never miss an art museum at a university. The Ackland Art Museum was a real treat. Drawing Attention was a wonderful exhibition, and I particularly liked how it was arranged. The … Continue reading Ackland Art Museum in Chapel Hill, NC
Earlier I posted about Erin M. Riley’s show that I had seen at PPOW gallery this past May. I was thrilled to learn that Ann Agee would be having a show at PPOW this summer. Agee’s Madonnas and Hand Warmers was excellent. This article is worth a read, to better understand the show. “The exhibition includes over 100 unique works that form two elaborate series … Continue reading Ann Agee in New York, NY
Each of these exhibitions at Salon 94 is worthy of it’s own blog post, but I am combining them as I catch up from my interlude in Minneapolis. I am eager to finally report on some of the truly excellent shows I saw on my last visit to NYC, and wanted to do so before I head back next week. I am in love with … Continue reading Elizabeth Neel and the Estate of Ruth Duckworth at Salon 94 in New York, NY
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is a treasure. To get a sense of the vastness and variety of their collection, have a look at two prior blog posts I did on the Portraits from the Kunin Collection, and a special exhibition In the Presence of Our Ancestors. Below are some of the highlights from the rest of the museum. I had to be ruthless in … Continue reading Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is vast, as I mentioned in a blog post earlier this month. My husband returned home from the wedding we attended in Minneapolis with a breakthrough case of COVID. Thankfully, all is well now, and I’m trying to do a bit of catch up. Next up is my favorite room at the museum, Portraits from the Kunin Collection. Frankly, it … Continue reading Portraits from the Kunin Collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is a must see. It was my second visit and you could honestly spend days there. I’ll break up my visit into several posts in order to share some highlights. Upon entering the museum there was a special exhibition In the Presence of Our Ancestors. I really liked a few of the pieces. “In the Presence of Our Ancestors: Southern … Continue reading In the Presence of Our Ancestors at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis, MN
When I was last in Minneapolis, I become so enamored with both a special exhibition and the permanent collection, at the Museum of Russian Art, I knew I had to make time in an already packed weekend, to visit again this trip. “In 1991, Raymond E. Johnson, an art dealer and collector, sponsored the first known retail exhibition of Russian Impressionist paintings in North America. … Continue reading The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis, MN
I love the Walker Art Center, and was thrilled to go with some first timers. The permanent collection is absolutely fantastic, and they rotate it regularly, so it is always worth a visit when in Minneapolis. On the rooftop of the Walker Art Center overlooking the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is this striking Sol LeWitt floor. Read more about it here. I have seen a lot … Continue reading Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN
I just spent a long weekend at the most wonderful wedding in Minneapolis. Between a full schedule of wedding events, I of course snuck in more than a little art. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center is fantastic. I visited for the first time in March of 2019 when it was brutally cold outside. Visiting in the summer was truly more enjoyable. … Continue reading The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis, MN
Salon 94’s new location has a third floor that you access through a back staircase. If you know Magdalene A.N. Odundo DBE’s ceramics, her work basically beckons you. You know it is her work, you always want to get closer, and you only wish you could touch. The forms and surface are like no other. “Considered one of the premier ceramicists working today, Magdalene A. … Continue reading Magdalene A.N. Odundo DBE at Salon 94 in New York, NY
Until recently, whenever I was in NYC I always stayed on the Lower East Side. I appreciated the proximity to small galleries, the New Museum, and easy access on foot or subway to neighborhoods I like to spend time in. I liked knowing the neighborhood, the people who worked at the hotel, and let’s be honest, being around the corner from Russ and Daughters was … Continue reading Huma Bhabha at Salon 94 in New York, NY
When I was in New York, I was super excited to see there was a Kathleen Ryan show at Karma gallery. I absolutely adored the New York-based Ryan’s work at Art Basel in 2019. Unfortunately, I was only able to see one of the three Karma venues. Timing was tight and I was hellbent on seeing Ryan’s beaded fruit. I snuck in the show as … Continue reading Kathleen Ryan in New York, NY
PPOW gallery has always been among my favorites. In January they moved to a new location that I personally find thrilling. Fiber artist Erin M. Riley’s exhibition The Consensual Reality of Healing Fantasies could not have looked better in their airy bright gallery space. “Sourcing wool from shuttered textile mills around the United States, Riley washes, strips and hand-dyes her yarn before weaving on a … Continue reading Erin M. Riley in New York, NY
I have always wanted to visit The Hole gallery in NYC. They have two sites, one on the Bowery and one on Walker. My daughter and I made plans to visit the Bowery location to see a fantastic group exhibition, Nature Morte. The gallery design and excellent curation drew us in, and we ended up staying far longer than we had planned. I love building … Continue reading The Hole Gallery in New York, NY
Recently, my dear friend Kathleen and I spent a great day together in Manhattan looking for a dress for her to wear to her daughter’s upcoming Labor Day weekend wedding in North Carolina. We were masked, but neither of us had been in a large department store in 18 months. It was a strange feeling to be out and about, let alone to think about … Continue reading Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station in New York, NY
I highly recommend going to the Brooklyn Museum to see KAWS: What Party and Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party. As if those two weren’t enough, I thought I’d share a few more images that made my visit really perfect. Wherever I am, I always stop and look at ceramics. I just cannot help myself. This piece photographs poorly, as it is in a glass case, … Continue reading Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, NY
The moment I got my second vaccine shot and knew I was going to be back in NYC, I got tickets for the KAWS: What Party exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. Boy am I glad I did. I had been slow to the KAWS fan club, but I am now a full-fledged member. I think Brian Donnelly, a.k.a. KAWS, is a genius. The twenty-five year … Continue reading KAWS in Brooklyn, NY
If you read my blog you are well aware that I am a huge Judy Chicago fan. Today being Chicago’s 82nd birthday, I thought I’d share with you photos from my much awaited visit to see The Dinner Party, which is permanently on view at the Brooklyn Museum. “The Dinner Party, an important icon of 1970s feminist art and a milestone in twentieth-century art, is … Continue reading Judy Chicago’s “The Dinner Party” in Brooklyn, NY
As I am beginning to get out in the world again, I have been thinking back on what I have learned during the pandemic and all the wonderful artists, and their work, that I’ve been introduced to. I took a fantastic Alternative Materials course with Eun-Ha Paek last winter through Greenwich House, the same place that I took courses from Derek Weisberg. I loved it, … Continue reading Candles I will never light!
During the past year and a half, I have taken more classes online than I can count. One of the first was taught by Derek Weisberg through Greenwich House Pottery in New York City. I ended up taking every ceramic history course he offered on line, despite them almost always starting at 7 AM Pacific Time (for me). I was genuinely bummed when his classes … Continue reading Derek Weisberg in New York, NY
I was fortunate to get to see Alice Mackler’s recent show at Kerry Schuss Gallery in New York. “Alice Mackler’s fifth solo exhibition at Kerry Schuss Gallery features nine ceramic sculptures along with a small selection of paintings all created during the last two years. With her new sculptures Mackler continues to focus on the theme that has animated her work for more than over … Continue reading Alice Mackler in New York, NY
My daughter and I had such a good time discovering the light switch covers at the NADA Houses. While we definitely missed some, below you will find photos of most of the ones we did see. The artist run, curatorial collective, Turn Onz – Detroit, was behind the idea of adorning the switch covers with art. You can read more about Turn Onz and the … Continue reading Light switch covers at NADA House 2021 on Governors Island, NY
The purpose of my trip to Governors Island was to see NADA House 2021. I’ve been attending NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance) shows at Art Basel in Miami for years and really believe in what they are doing. At a NADA show, I always find new artists to keep my eye on, and their venues are always cool. “The New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) is … Continue reading NADA House 2021 on Governors Island, NY
After you have seen the Duke Riley mural at The Battery Maritime Building, take the ferry to Governors Island. There are two other ferries to the island, but I’ve only taken the ferry from Lower Manhattan. As you leave Manhattan behind, the quick ride to Governors Island is really pretty. The Staten Island Ferry terminal is right next door, and while I haven’t been to … Continue reading Shantell Martin on Governors Island, NY
Fasten your seatbelts as I have a lot to share from my trip to New York City in May, as well as another quick visit I snuck in last week. Let’s back up a minute from my post about Rachel Whiteread on Governors Island. At the Governors Island Ferry Building, there is a mural, Not for Nutten by Brooklyn based artist Duke Riley. It is … Continue reading Duke Riley in New York, NY
My daughter and I went to Governors Island, where I was thrilled to discover a Rachel Whiteread house! Who knew?! “Rachel Whiteread’s installation Cabin continues the artist’s interest in producing evocative sculptures of negative spaces and structures. In this case, the artist has sited a concrete cast of the interior of a simple cabin, a place suggestive of retreat and introspection. Sitting modestly on the … Continue reading Rachel Whiteread on Governors Island, NY
As I walked into the Katherine Bradford show at Canada gallery, I noticed these amazing planters in the window. I thought I recognized them, and it turned out that I was right. The planters were by Elisabeth Kley! I had never seen her work in person, but loved the virtual talk I attended back in October of 2020. Besides the planters in the window, there … Continue reading Elisabeth Kley in New York, NY
I had a long list of art shows I knew I wanted to see during my recent New York visit. I was lucky to see Katherine Bradford’s show, Mother Paintings, at Canada gallery the day before it closed. If you have been following my blog you will know I’m a huge fan of Bradford’s work, so it was an absolute thrill to catch this show. … Continue reading Katherine Bradford in New York, NY
Shapes from Out of Nowhere: Ceramics from the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was another show I was longing to see. The exhibition consists of over 75 works, from a collection of 125 modern and contemporary ceramics that Ellison donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on their 150th anniversary. I felt like I was walking into a party … Continue reading “Shapes from Out of Nowhere” in New York, NY
After a lovely outdoor Mother’s Day brunch with my daughter and husband, we went up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the much anticipated Alice Neel show, People Come First. If you follow my blog, you know I’m a huge fan of Neel, and it was the first set of tickets I bought for my NYC trip. Even with timed entry, once in … Continue reading Alice Neel in New York, NY
Fully vaccinated, my husband and I flew to New York City for the first time since October of 2019. It was a thrill to get on a plane, travel to a city we both called home for 20 years, and finally get to see dear friends, family, and our daughter. My heart was full, getting to hug and kiss our daughter who we had not … Continue reading Sanford Biggers in New York, NY
I never truly understood the KAWS phenomenon. My friend Jayson, with whose art opinion I almost always agree, kept telling me about how Brian Donnelly (KAWS) is the guy to watch. I listened to an interview with Donnelly last year, but I still didn’t quite get it. I’ve paid attention to the prices KAWS’ work has been selling for, and the hype surrounding him. Well, … Continue reading A Week in Images (Quarantine Learning Report #7)
What a week! I have watched and participated in so many online classes and lectures the past year, yet somehow I still continue to find programs that I did not know about until now. Last week I came across a talk with Sheila Hicks. Little did I know this was Friedman Benda’s 100th Design in Dialogue talk! Design in Dialogue is an absolute treasure trove … Continue reading A Week in Images (Quarantine Learning Report #6)
As I await my second vaccine, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I have planned a trip to NYC in May to see my daughter, friends and family. I have a long list of art to see as well. This week, I once again saw so many amazing art related things on line. I’m only sharing some, as it takes a … Continue reading A Week in Images (Quarantine Learning Report #5)
I sign up for, and attend, a lot of lectures and classes. Sometimes there will be one I look forward to even more than the rest. The Everson Museum hosted their 11th annual ceramics lecture this past week, and I simply could not wait. Grayson Perry was the featured artist, and while I could not imagine liking Perry more than I already did, his talk … Continue reading A Week in Images (Quarantine Learning Report #4)
This week I watched another Norton Lecture, the second of six virtual presentations by Laurie Anderson, recipient of the Charles Eliot Norton Professorship in Poetry at Harvard. I have to admit to having been totally mesmerized by her hour-long presentation. I just kept thinking wow, some people are just so talented and brilliant. Laurie also happens to be a close friend of my dear friend … Continue reading A Week in Images (Quarantine Learning Report #3)
I have been carefully and diligently sheltering in place this past year, so going out to a museum Sunday was a big deal for me. The Seattle Art Museum is a mid-sized museum and they have some wonderful pieces in their permanent collection. Seeing most of the work again was like getting back together with long lost friends, and a few new pieces felt like … Continue reading More from the Seattle Art Museum in Seattle, WA
Sunday morning I went to an art exhibit. I went to an art exhibit at a museum! The Seattle Art Museum. Double masked, with timed and limited admission, it was absolutely thrilling! “The exhibition reunites the Struggle series for the first time in sixty years. Over the course of his career, Lawrence painted ten historical series. All of them are intact in public collections except … Continue reading Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle in Seattle, WA
Here are a few highlights from the past week of learning and discovery. Last Monday evening I attended a Zoom lecture with Maira Kalman. While I already knew her paintings and illustrations are charming, it was hearing Kalman talk about her work and life that made me want to be her new best friend. She is sharp and talented. If you don’t know about Kalman, … Continue reading A Week in Images (Quarantine Learning Report #2)
Since the beginning of quarantine, I have been attending a bunch of terrific online lectures from all across the country. In just the past month or so I’ve had the pleasure of hearing live talks by a list of artists that includes Theaster Gates, Edmund de Waal, Peter Pincus, Syd Carpenter, Ghada Amer, Kathy Butterly, LaToya Ruby Frazier, and Glenn Ligon (with Hilton Als) to name just a few. Continue reading A Week in Images (Quarantine Learning Report #1)
I absolutely love art books. I buy exhibition catalogs after almost every show I see. They are my souvenirs, and I look at them over and over again. This past year I’ve been trying to keep up with the books for shows that I have missed, or still hope to see. Here are thirteen, some I’ve purchased, some I still want, in no particular order. … Continue reading Thirteen Great Art Books
