Author: Iris
Jaime Muñoz is a keen cultural observer. The conversation with him veered from art history, the commercialization of contemporary art, and Mesoamerican semiotics to Los Angeles car culture, science fiction, and literature. All of these references and more permeate Muñoz’s art, which is imbued with an ethic of hard work and the visual appeal of painting and graphic design. With the precision of an architect painting a canvas in Adobe Illustrator, Muñoz uses non-traditional painting techniques such as velvet flocking, airbrushing, vinyl drawing, and the manual labor of hand painting and drafting to create image-filled The pieces are vibrant and…
As the year 2024 draws to a close, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the artists who have produced some interesting works. Among them is Ruth Poniarski, an artist who has built a world where surreal imagery and storytelling intersect. Her journey began in architecture, earning a degree from Pratt Institute and spending a decade immersed in construction. But in 1988, Poniarski found a new calling in painting—a medium that allowed her to explore ideas beyond structural boundaries. Her work is deeply influenced by mythology, literature, philosophy, and culture, resulting in paintings that feel rich with layers of meaning.…
A five-year legal battle has broken out between the heirs of American landscape painter Thomas Hart Benton and a Kansas City bank accused of mismanaging his estate and selling his works below market value , and misplaced more than 100 pieces of art, eventually ending up in the bank. Missouri Judge Mark Styles ruled that UMB Bank did not breach its obligations to the famed Regionalist painter, who left his collection in their care before his death in 1975. Stiles discovered that only five works in the Benton collection could not be held by UMB Bank. According to KCUR-FM, which…
Modern audiences may have a vague idea of Odysseus, the ancient Greek returning hero. They might know about his return to Penelope, his patient and devoted wife, or his somewhat annoying son Telemachus. More literary-minded readers may even think of Lord Tennyson’s poem “Ulysses” (1842), James Joyce’s challenging 1922 novel of the same name, or Nikos Kazantzakis’s definitive novel The Odyssey: The Modern Sequel (1924). Or they might be familiar with Margaret Atwood’s retelling Penelope de (2006) or Madeleine Miller’s Circe (2018), which also follows the age-old tradition of pulling at narrative threads and reweaving them from new perspectives. Like…
Despite weeks of protests and warnings from the arts community, Berlin’s government has pushed for cuts of 130 million euros – 12 percent of its culture budget. The cuts, part of the city’s 2025 spending plan, have sparked widespread concerns about closures and threats to Berlin’s status as a major cultural hub. The budget cuts are a departure from Berlin’s previous plans to inject new capital into the city’s cultural spaces. In 2021, Germany approved a record federal cultural grant of 2.1 billion euros; an increase of 155 million euros from 2020. Related articles Despite calls for officials to meet…
A deal may be struck between the Hilma af Klint Foundation and major gallery David Zwirner to separate the artist’s work for profit. The Swedish artist’s family oversees her foundation, which protects her artwork and legacy. The proposed deal between the foundation’s board of directors and David Zwirner could lead to the further commercialization and distribution of af Klint’s work, which family members say goes against her personal wishes as well as the foundation’s own statues. Regulations stipulate that the “Temple Paintings” series (1906-15), a total of 193 works, may not be sold; however, other works can be sold to…
The holidays are busy, but everyone needs a break, and what better way to replenish your mind and soul than by looking at art? Here are a few exhibitions to check out when you can step away from all the chaos and take a moment or more to revel in the gift of art. Whether it’s the subtle humor of Thomas Schütte, the emotional embodiment of Ralph Lemon, the aesthetic brilliance of Alexandra Exter, or the ones on our list ‘s other content, you’ll be glad you took the time. —Natalie Haddad, Comments Editor DeShawn Price 15 east72 Walker Street,…
Within the pantheon of early 20th-century avant-gardes, Orphism—the subject of a comprehensive and wide-ranging survey by the Guggenheim Museum—is rare among isms because it remains relatively underexplored studied and misunderstood, at least in comparison to modernist homologisms such as Futurism, Vorticism, and Cubism. Cubism’s kaleidoscopic liberation of geometry from the etiquette of perspective inspired the Orphic push for “pure painting”—the liberation of pictorial form and color from the duties of representation—but, confusingly, The name of the movement is associated with literary allusions. It was coined by French poet and critic Guillaume Apollinaire in 1912 and is reminiscent of the Greek…
In 2024, New York City’s gallery infrastructure continues to feel the structural changes that began in 2023. Last year, all eyes were on Tribeca as Chelsea’s red-eyed art dealers either expanded into the chic downtown neighborhood or completely swapped their spaces for the greener pastures (and cobblestone streets) of Lower Manhattan. . To some, this year seems bleaker than last. Chinatown and the Lower East Side, often a petri dish for exciting new artists and project spaces, have suffered two major losses this year, with both Simone Subal and Helena Anraser deciding to close their doors permanently. Two months after…
As the year 2024 comes to a close, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the artists who’ve made some interesting. Among them is Robert M. Deschenes, a naturalist wildlife artist whose work offers a breathtaking connection to the natural world. His paintings are not just visually captivating but also deeply narrative, inviting viewers to consider the complex relationship between animals and their habitats. Two pieces, Canada Goose and Ruffed Grouse, showcase Deschenes’ ability to blend hyperrealistic detail with storytelling. Using acrylic on canvas, he transforms ordinary moments in nature into windows of reflection and appreciation. Canada Goose: A Moment of Tranquility In Canada…