DISPATCH - JULY 25, 2012 (8:30 a.m.)
BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY
The second annual artMRKT Hamptons alighted last week drawing larger crowds than last year. Just over 7,000 people visited the fair--an increase of around 1,000 over the inaugural fair, according to artMRKT Hamptons.
This year's art was noteworthy in the consistent high quality of interesting works presented. Buzz around town gives it a Thumbs Up.
Contemporary art that makes use of a variety of materials dominated the fair. Bovine blood, drinking straws, ground mineral pigments, Plexiglas, surfboards, attaché cases, golf bags and other materials appeared liberally among paintings on canvas.
What follows are some of the art that caught my eye and some of the people who made the fair a success:
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Pantings by Pema Rinzin. Exhibited with Joshua Liner Gallery (Chelsea, NY). On left is "Peace and Energy (Blue)," 2011. Ground mineral pigments and gold on canvas, 41 x 61 inches. The paintings on the right are from Rinzin's Rainbow Cloud series.
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Rinzin's paintings are Contemporary Tibet. They combine traditional Tibetan art that adheres to motifs, patterns and traditional materials with contemporary compositions that expressive and abstract and changing, said Joshua Liner of the Joshua Liner Gallery.
Born in Tibet and now working in Brooklyn, Rinzin's art is inspired by Tibetan artists plus Gustav Klimt, Wassily Kandinsky, William Blake and street artists, according to an artist statement.
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ArtMRKT Hamptons fair producers Max Fishko and Jeffrey Wainhouse stand beside "Cloned Penguin" by William Sweetlove, 2011. Polyurethane. Exhibited with boltax.gallery (Shelter Island, NY).
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Paintings by Karim Hamid. Exhibited with Aureus Contemporary (Providence, RI).
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Hamid's work is concerned with the classic representation of the female figure and the male gaze throughout art history. Figures are distorted and created through multiple layers that create a painting history, said Aureus Contemporary gallerist Kevin Havelton. When the work is turned upside down, the subject changes from the object of the gaze to the gazer.
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Illuminated Paintings by Peter Bynum were exhibited by vanbruntprojects (Beacon, NY). His art consists of multiple layers of painted compositions on tempered glass and are illuminated from behind.
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Side view of one of Peter Bynum's Illuminated Paintings.
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Upper Surfboard: "Passion Is The Fire That Fuels Me" by Stephanie Hirsch, 2012. Beads, rhinestones, embroidery on surfboard, 75 x 18 inches. Lower: "Freedom Surfboard" by Stephanie Hirsch, beads and embroidery on surfboard, 78 x 19 inches. Exhibited with Lyons Wier Gallery (Chelsea, NY).
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Stephanie Hirsch's work combines her background in the fashion industry with a penchant for mantras and double meanings of words. Glittery surfaces and sound bite philosophies engage but her work also implies inner struggles of the serious kind that are often hidden beneath the veneer of the public persona.
Lyons Wier Gallery specializes in Conceptual Realism.
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A whimsical mobile installation of small paintings by Sidney Geist on vintage exhibition invitation cards (1960-1980) presented by Eric Firestone Gallery (East Hampton, NY).
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Eric Firestone at artMRKT Hamptons. Artists exhibited include Tseng Kwong Chi, Retna and others.
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"LFTSFK" by Jordan Eagles. Blood, copper preserved on Plexiglass-Uv resin, 48 x 48 x 3 inches. Exhibited with Patrajdas Contemporary, Philadelphia.
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"Maitre'D" by Jorge Santos, 2012. Oil and acrylic on canvas, 60 x 80 inches. Exhibited with 101/exhibit (Miami, FL).
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"Matroshka" by Asya Reznikov, 2008. Video sculpture, 21 x 17.25 x 19 inches. Edition 6/8. Exhibited with Nancy Hoffman Gallery (Chelsea, NY).
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Greg Haberny among his art. The solo show was presented by Lyons Wier Gallery (Chelsea, NY.). His art is fueled by political and social commentary.
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Paintings by Colin Chilag. All are oil on panel. Exhibited with 101/exhibit (Miami, FL).
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"Look Aside" by Sangsik Hong. Drinking straws, 16 x 28 x 6.75 inches. Exhibited with Patrajdas Contemporary, Philadelphia.
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Fred Eversley next to his resin sculpture. Exhibited with Keyes Art Project. His work creates a perfect parabolic lens, according to the gallery.
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"Golden Grain No. 2" by Songwoot Kaewvisit, 2008. Acrylic on canvas, 46.5 x 54 inches. Exhibited with Tally Beck Contemporary (New York, NY).
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Charles McGill next to his Mad Bags. Exhibited by Karyn Mannix Contemporary (Bridgehampton, NY). Golf bag and found internet imagery. The works were made while in residence at the Museum of Arts and Design, according to Karyn Mannix. The blue-toned paintings behind McGill are works by Steve Hawelli.
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BASIC FACTS: artMRKT Hamptons was held from July 19 to 22, 2012 on the ground of the Bridgehampton Historical Society in Bridgehampton, NY. www.art-mrkt.com.
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© 2012 Pat Rogers and Hamptons Art Hub. All rights reserved.
Great round up Pat, and thanks for the mention!
Steve
I’m sorry I missed the Art Market. An interesting and eglectic mix of materials and minds.