The well-worn riddle "What's black and white and red all over?" may now have another answer. The new response (besides the classic answer: "A newspaper") could be art by Candyce Brokaw made for the Outsider Art Fair.
Tabletop by Candyce Brokaw
Brokaw's new artwork is mostly black and white with dollops of red accenting the compositions. The three-tone palette is a departure from the riot of colors she typically uses to create her personal art.
OAF opened Jan 26 with a ticketed preview. The fair is presented from Jan 27 to 29, 2012 at 7 West 34th Street in Manhattan.
This is OAF's 20th anniversary and a full slate of programming is on the schedule. OAF presents works by self-taught artists who primarily make art for their own satisfaction or for small groups of people who appreciate their work, according to fair presenters Sanford L. Smith & Associates. Artwork exhibited is not typically included in commercial or mainstream art circuits.
Gallery exhibitors make up the crux of the fair. In addition, there are panel discussions, talks and film screenings on each day of the fair. See www.sanfordsmith.com.
This weekend is Brokaw's fourth appearance at OAF. In her first year, she presented her art inside a truck parked outside the fair with fellow outsider artist Ross Brodar, Brokaw said. Since then, both now have gallery representation that brought them inside the art fair. This year, both are represented by Olof Art Gallery of the Netherlands. Brokaw has exhibited with Olof Art Gallery for three years at OAF. Her work has been shown in the United States and abroad.
For this year's fair, Brokaw decided to take chances with her art. She moved away from chaotic constructions of color, went with larger surfaces and included new mediums. The artist also decided to forgo making the thousands of dots that are typically part of her art.
"The work is a departure from what I typically do," Brokaw said. "People who know my work will be surprised. Like a lot of artists, I go through different periods with my art and I wanted show that."
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View of Brokaw's art in the Olof Art Gallery booth at OAF 2012.
"Too Many Words" by Candyce Brokaw
Brokaw's art at OAF 2012
A partial view of a three-sided screen by Candyce Brokaw.
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Making a three-panel screen is something Brokaw does once a year. It's a labor-intensive process that involves quilting together a patchwork of small paintings on one side and making a large painting for the other side. This year's screen contains 125 small paintings, she said. Each is 5 by 7 inches.
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Brokaw working on this year's screen.
Brokow's screen in process.
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Brokaw looks forward to the annual OAF as an artist and as the founder/director of the Survivors Art Foundation (SAF). The non-profit organization is based in Quogue in the Hamptons.
The art fair allows Brokaw to meet artists she's only connected with virtually. There's the possibility of meeting others interested in presenting collaborative art projects that aim to heal through art. OAF also provides the opportunity to see works by outsider artist masters who exhibit at museums around the world.
OAF attracts art collectors from around the world, people interested in outsider art and the curious, Brokaw said.
Exhibitors include The Museum of Everything from London, England; Galerie Les Singuliers from Paris, France; The Pardee Collection of Iowa City, Iowa and others.
"There's a mix," Brokaw said. "There's cutting edge and traditional folk art and everything in between. There's really something for everyone."
The steady stream of art fair visitors allows Brokaw's art to be seen. She's usually on hand to offer insights into the art to those that are interested, Brokaw said. Receiving feedback is a high point of the experience. So is being part of the fair.
"It's a real privilege to be included in the Outsider Art Fair," Brokaw said. "There are artists from around the world, famous galleries and artists you wouldn't be able to see unless you go to a museum. There's not many museums that specialize in this type of art, so it’s a rare opportunity. It's a thrill to be part of it."
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BASIC FACTS: Outsider Art Fair 2012 will be held from Jan 27 to 29, 2012 at 7 West 34th Street at 5th Avenue, New York, NY. OAF is open until 7 p.m. tonight (Jan 28) and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow (Jan 29). For details, programs and an exhibitor list, visit www.sanfordsmith.com.
Olof Art Gallery is exhibiting at Booth C9. Artists include Candyce Brokaw, Ross Brodar, Alison Silva, Arthur Klein, Ian Pyper, Daniel Belardinelli and others. www.olof-art.nl
Candyce Brokaw's art can be viewed at www.visionary-art.net.
Survivors Art Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering healing for trauma survivors through art. For details, visit www.survivorsartfoundation.org/
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© 2012 Pat Rogers and Hamptons Art Hub. All rights reserved.
Candyce Brokaw’s work is so inspirational, like her! This show is a must!