Interest List #4.2
Another day, more online viewing rooms: Saved picks from Independent
*CORRECTION* Yesterday I noted that Sophie Collé and I fawned over the designs of Sonia Delaunay, we did as many of her illustrations and a few garments she designed are currently on view in Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction. However, I meant Sophie Taeuber-Arp, as one of her beaded bags is on display in the same gallery. This is important for me to correct because I love and respect both of these artists and they hold a special place in my heart, two women who have wide ranging oeuvres. Each has dabbled in interior design, fashion, and of course fine art. Last year, the Bard Graduate Center celebrated Sonia Delaunay’s expansive body of work in the exhibition Sonia Delaunay: Living Art, one of the best shows I saw last year. I was also messaging with fellow fashion and textile historian Cara Green about this show and Woven Histories and my mind was briefly jumbled! Sophie Taeuber-Arp is especially significant to me since I had the immense privilege of assisting with research for Sophie Taeuber-Arp: Living Abstraction while I was an intern in the Painting and Sculpture department.
Yesterday, I saw a few posts lamenting about the overwhelming amount of art happenings this week (and if you’re also a design head, gird your loins and get some rest because design extravaganza events are trickling into the city by the second). I always wish I can split myself in two, so I can simultaneously chip away at my to-do list and see things for cultural nourishment at the same time. If only this was possible. Fear not for my fellow busy bees, online viewing rooms are here to save the over-scheduled art lovers. Out of all the fairs on view, Independent’s online viewing rooms are the most robust. Many galleries have included editorial content to enhance their presentations. I encourage you to read the remarks from the artist about their work, essays reflecting on the methodologies on their practice, and videos that enliven the static movement of virtual gallery browsing.
Independent
What: Art fair devoted to showcasing 21st century art from a global array of galleries. Independent also has an excellent track record for presenting emerging artists right before they make a bigger splash in the art world.
When: May 8 - 11, 2025
Where: Spring Studios, 50 Varick Street, New York, NY or online
april april, Pittsburgh presenting Alix Van Der Donckt-Ferrand
Why I’d buy: In all my years of working in the arts, a gallery from Steel City has never signaled on my radar. This is exciting for me to see has my family has roots there. I enjoy the whimical pop style of the artist, but my mind also flickering with stills from Anora when I look at these (complementary).
Chris Sharp Gallery, Los Angeles presenting Adam Higgins
Why I’d buy: The hyperreal abstractions of salad topped images are oddly satisfying. A salad is an excellent metaphor for life
Indigo + Madder, London presenting Sameen Agha
Why I’d buy: The paintings paired with these incredible marble frames (yes, the eyelet frames are also marble). Enough said!
Kerry Schuss Gallery, New York presenting Mary Carlson
Why I’d buy: You don’t see too many artists making wall sculptures. I think these would be fun to play with among an assortment of family photos, Impressionist gardens, and country striped textiles.
Europa, New York presenting Suyi Xu
Why I’d buy: I first encountered Xu’s work at her show at Europa and found these paintings both mesmerizing and tranquil. I need to see them in someones home!
Broadway, New York presenting Andrew Kuo
Why I’d buy: I already have a small watercolor by Kuo from a small sale he was conducting via Instagram Stories that is in this similar composition of washes of paint framed by a letterhead, I love it. These are equally brilliant and even more so because of their larger scale.
South Parade, London, presenting Zoë Carlson
Why I’d buy: I love a dainty interior, plus these works are oil on aluminium so I know they would dazzle in person.
MARCH, New York presenting Claudia Keep
Why I’d buy: I’ve been a fan of Claudia’s work for a few years. Me posting this is my form of eventually manifesting one of her paintings in my collection. This is contemporary Impressionism (thinking of a more precise term for todays world).
Swivel Gallery, New York presenting Lucia Hierro
Why I’d buy: Elevating the mundane = YES!
I’ve been scrolling through the offerings from the other fairs online and either nothing has excited me enough to note or available to view online. The work at Frieze is too sterile and typical for my liking, its all the usual suspects of art stars. Therefore, keep an eye out for my dispatch from Esther!
<3,
Lauren
delighted to discover Pastiche this morning in Sacramento! I write a similar newsletter detailing arts events in the Bay Area & Sac. looking forward to reading more of your work!