The Zimmerli Art Museum in New Brunskwick NJ

I recently visited the The Zimmerli Art Museum located on the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.  The most impressive body of work in this museum is their Dodge Collection of Soviet Nonconformist Art.  According to the museum's webs site "this is the largest and most comprehensive collection of its kind in the world. Comprising more than 17,000 works of art, this collection documents Soviet dissident art from the historical Cold War period".  Indeed some of the works are thought provoking and emotional (such as glimpses into prison camps, and everyday life under the communist regime).  Others, such as an installation of an outhouse (outdoor toilet) are showing strong western influences. 
My favorite collection in the museum is the The George Riabov Collection of Russian Art, which encompasses Russian Orthodox icons, folk prints, landscapes and more.  These certainly embody the Russian spirit, and made me think of Dostoyevsky's writings which I love so much.  All in all, this is not a museum that will satisfy you if you are looking for Western European art, but it's certainly worth visiting if you are into Russian art.  Also, the museum has an American Art wing, and a room dedicated to children illustrations.  This room is also quite interesting, and unique.

 

Malcolm Liepke's "Haute Couture" at Arcadia Gallery

I must confess I was overwhelmed by pretty colors and pretty faces when I stepped into Arcadia Gallery a few days ago.  This was my initial reaction in response to the new show titled "Haute Couture", presenting paintings by Malcolm Liepke.  Yet, I could not leave, and I circled the room a few times, looking for the deeper meaning of his art works.  I was intrigued.  Was it about sexuality, style, idealized bodies, or simply about colour and form?  In the end I got some help by reading the catalogue found at the front desk.  In it, I found numerous reproductions of much older paintings (from the '80s and 90's) by the artist, as well as some newer pieces.  I then read in the artist's own words what his intent was with this current exhibition: a homage to the figure, in it's most simple (and decorative?) way.  I will say that I prefer Malcolm's earlier pieces, which are actually quite impressive.  However, I respect his attempt to break his own boundaries and to take his art into a new direction.   

Deck the Walls @ New York Academy of Art

This week the New York Academy of Art hosted a holiday party featuring works by current MFA students.  Here are some examples of the works exhibited, and a link with more information about the event: http://www.nyaa.edu/nyaa/events/index.html.  If you missed it this year, you can always stop by next year! 

Alea Chapin, Gail, 2011, Oil on Canvas

Sam Detch, Dubhead 2011, Cast resin

Holly Saillors

Angla Gram, Wonderer

Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida @The Hispanic Society of America

If you like Sorolla's works, you must visit the Hispanic Society of America, on 155th Street, where you will see his masterpiece "Vision of Spain".  One step into the room and you are surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of Spain, so well depicted by the renown Spanish painter.  It is an uplifting and impressive experience.  I felt joy and energy when walking around, as if I was indeed vacationing in Spain.  The most remarkable aspect of these colorful, large, paintings, is the movement that flows in each painting, and unites all paintings into a one room composition.  The Hispanic museum hosts a couple of other figurative paintings by Sorolla, as well as work by a number of other Spanish masters. It is definitely worth the trip!

Sarah Lamb @ Spanierman Gallery

   Sarah Lamb is one of the best still life painters of our times. Her paintings, executed in the classical tradition, are truly beautiful.  From a distance the paintings are perfectly realistic. When you get really close you can still see the brushstrokes, painterly, varied, yet creating a unified whole. Her pictures are still, yet unlike a photograph the human touch can be seen and felt in each square inch of the painting. This makes the paintings full of spirit, emotional, beautiful. I also enjoyed Sarah's landscapes, more loosely painted, yet equally emotional. Her technique is flawless and the images are sure to stay with you. Go see the show!

Iconomancy at New York Academy of Art

Will Cotton, Ron, 2009. Courtesy New York Academy of Art.

This week the New York Academy of Art exhibited work from some of its alumni, in a group show called 'Iconomancy'.  Artlog wrote an article about it, artlog.com/posts/239-iconomancy-the-magic-of-art and you should check it out to see more photos, and to read about the title's meaning, in the words of the exhibiting artists.  Some of my favorite pieces are Peter Mühlhäußer's sculpture, and Will Cotton's hilarious yet wonderfully executed portrait (seen above).  The school has an elegant gallery on the first floor, which it's free and open to the public whenever there are shows (check the school's website for when the gallery is open).  If you need the URL, look no further then the left hand side of this blog.  Enjoy!

The Opening of Julio Reyes' show at Arcadia Gallery

 

  Last night I went to Arcadia Gallery for the opening of Julio's Reyes solo show.  I've been interested in this artist since he won Best in Show award in the 2010 Art Renewal Center International Salon Competition.  He seemed friendly, down to earth, and genuinely passionate about his art.  The show includes both drawings and oil paintings, mostly figurative work.  Some of the paintings are on copper, and  executed loosely, whereas other, larger ones on canvas, are more carefully rendered.   His work is both calm and dreamy. Whether in lush fields or overlooking a distant cityscape, his figures are lost in thought and introspection.  The work carries a clear message that resonates with the artist community and with the public at large.  Overall a great show to see, I recommend it!

Julio Reyes talking with guests

10th Aniversary Show at the Neue Galerie, Manhattan

The Neue Galerie is a two story museum in Uptown Manhattan, dedicated to twentieth century German and Austrian art.  This is the place to go whenever you need some inspiration from artists like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Right now, the museum is celebrating it's 10th anniversary with a rich and varied exhibition.  On display are a number of Picasso drawings, Matisse' bronze sculptures, sculptures by Brincusi, paintings and drawings by Seurat, Degas, Van Gogh, and more!  There are also some abstract art works by Klee, and Kandinsky, and an incredible show of medieval artifacts, arms and armor.  This exhibition has something for everyone, and it's free on Fri nights.  Also, the building itself, and the gift shop are worth checking out, both are elegant and unique.

Vantage Point 2011 at Forum Gallery

Bride with Cards, Steven Assael

Steven Assael's painting Bride with Cards, is now on display, in the Vantage Point 2011 group exhibition at Forum Gallery, in Manhattan. Steven is a figurative painter with many years of experience in both painting and teaching.  He has taught at the School of Visual Arts and New York Academy of Art.  He is also the reason why I went to see this show last week.  The gallery is located in an upscale neighborhood, on 5th Ave, close to Central Park, across the street from Versace and Louis Vuitton.  Maybe it's because of the location that the asking prices in the gallery are mind blowing...I'm not an art dealer, and don't have much experience with pricing art, but I was quite shocked to see some of the pieces in the gallery are close to or above a million dollars!  Here are some photos of other work in the show, see if you can guess which one is more than $1,600,000.

Islamic Manuscript Painting at the Morgan Library

 

Last Friday I went to see the Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan. On display are a few beautifully handwritten and decorated Persian volumes, and single illuminated pages.  It is the first time the Morgan Library is showing this wonderful collection.  It offers a unique glimpse into the rich Persian book culture, which developed as an art in the thirteenth century.   It is a delight to see these elegantly executed, harmonious paintings, and I strongly recommend you stop by.  Also, you can still view the Drawings from the Louvre selection, until December, and the Ingres works until the end of November.  Admission is free on Fridays from 7 -9 pm.

A visit to the Princeton University Art Museum, a real treat

Robert Henri - Mildred Clarke Von Kienbusch

  There are so many beautiful works of art in the Princeton University Art Museum, I strongly recommend you visit it.   You will see pieces ranging from early Christian religious paintings, to modern video installations.  In addition to their wonderful permanent collection which includes works by artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Chardin, Jerome, and Rembrandt, the museum curates special exhibitions that vary in content from photographs of dilapidated buildings, to Japanese ink paintings on silk.  A special treat is Jacque Louis David' study for his painting The Death of Socrates.  This large painting provides insight into how the master approached his work, and the unfinished section offers a rare glimpse into the beginning stages of his painting process.
For me this museum is the best kept secret in the region.  It's never crowded, admission is free, and it delights the viewer with some rare and beautiful works (see some photos below).

Belluci, Judith and the head of Holofernes

Auguste Rodin - The Age of Bronze

J S Sargent - Elizabeth Allen Marquand

J S Sargent - An Interior in Venice detail

Hornace Vernet - Academic Study

Kano Tsunenobu - Four Accomplishments