gallery – Letters by Soo

David Zwirner Gallery: Endless Enigma: 8 Centuries of Fantastic Art

Published on October 25, 2018October 25, 2018 by lettersbysooLeave a comment

Chris and I go on a lengthy art gallery hop through Chelsea, and I’d have to say this was our favorite pit-stop: David Zwirner Gallery, a stellar power house.

We had to gulp down our cappuccinos.

So happy to see works I’ve never seen before in person from artist like Max Ernst and Rene Magritte. I have a particular attachment to the Dada and Surrealist movements.

A rather tempered work of Hieronymus Bosch:

Siren-like beauties– very much like the Valentino SS 2015 Campaign. I’d say almost identical in interpretation. I’m not sure about the strength of Leonor Fini’s other works, but my goodness, to have this in my home:

Things that make my childlike soul go hop!:

Amazing mastery of painting, and the chemistry between the movement of the waves vs. the wood like whorls of the levitating mass:

The power of women:

The detailing and lifework on this was superior:

Birds and wood:

Running until October 27 @ David Zwirner Gallery

Jean Jullien at Studio Concrete

Published on May 14, 2018May 14, 2018 by lettersbysooLeave a comment

For more details of the studio gallery, check it out here.

To follow Jean Jullien’s artwork, check out his Instagram

I’ve written about my admiration for this artist here in a post extolling him as the Houdini of Illustrators and again here, featuring a kinky erotic illustration video created in collaboration with his brother!

Money Shot by Judith Bernstein

Published on February 4, 2018February 10, 2018 by lettersbysooLeave a comment

My friend Christine and I stopped by the Paul Kasmin Gallery yesterday to check out this LOUD art show, which represents the works of Judith Bernstein, a New York based artist, mainly known for her phallic symbol infused works and her ardent devotion to feminism.

Money Shot is a visual manifesto of some very explicit political commentary (truly, a no holds barred, lacking zero subtly situation). Asides from the strong messaging, the artist used fun and creative mediums like fluorescent paint and light for this exhibit to the delight of myself and the many other art goers that walked into the gallery (Exhibit A: it was fun to see anyone with hair lighter than brown with heads literally lit, and seeing men walk in with their stiff collared shirts noticing in surprise that the collars peeking out of their sweaters were brilliantly highlighted in spacey purple light).

Do I see a Darth Vadar, a skull, and a generic demon here or is it just me?

The Trinity Schlong

While this artist clearly shows her bias for the strong left, I believe this show is worth going to and seeing– regardless of one’s political affiliation, and preferably with an open mind.

It is worth mentioning and acknowledging the creative and intellectual risks this artist has made to voice out some very controversial and sensitive opinions, and the gallery that chose to represent her with this recent installation.

I applaud you, Paul Kasmin Gallery.

This show runs until March 03, 2018. @ 293 10th Ave., NY.

September: Art Shows

Published on September 13, 2017September 13, 2017 by lettersbysooLeave a comment

Here are some shows to be excited about and below is a view of my favorite works from the referenced artists. Look out for them if you go!

Suzan Frecon’s Oil Paintings, David Zwirner Gallery, 525 West 19th Street, New York (9/15)

Campana Brothers: Hybridism, Friedman Benda Gallery, 515 West 26th St, New York

Screen Shot 2017-09-13 at 10.58.14 AM.png — Noah’s Chair, Noah’s Bench, 2017

Ad Reinhardt’s Blue Paintings, David Zwirner Gallery, 537 West 20th Street, New York

Screen Shot 2017-09-13 at 10.54.56 AM.png — Number 88 (Blue), 1950

Rodin at the Met, Metropolitan Museum of Art (9/16)

Screen Shot 2017-09-13 at 11.06.48 AM.png — The Age of Bronze, 1876

Gehard Demetz, my modern day Geppetto.

Published on August 21, 2017December 8, 2017 by lettersbysooLeave a comment

Formally trained in religious sculpture, Italian artist Gehard Demetz has progressed to become one of the most talented artists of our century. He wields his art technique and experience to create works, many with children as subject, that explore the dichotomies and marriages of contradiction… between that which is evocative and whimsical – provocative and contemporary. His sculptures often carry an energy verging on the socio-political.

He relies on mediums like wood and bronze and certainly knows how to make dry wood come alive.

These are my favorite works of Demetz throughout his career as a sculptor:

Screen Shot 2017-08-21 at 9.40.41 AM — Introjection. 2017, Wood

Screen Shot 2017-08-21 at 9.40.59 AM — Life Without Christmas. 2017, Wood

Screen Shot 2017-08-21 at 9.41.36 AM — Dirt on my Shoulders. 2016, Wood

Screen Shot 2017-08-21 at 9.42.12 AM — Restoring My Blisses. 2015, Wood.

Screen Shot 2017-08-21 at 9.42.22 AM — My Parents’ Stories Sound Different. 2015, Wood.

Personally, I would say his best works were made in 2013.

Screen Shot 2017-08-21 at 10.02.50 AM.png — Stones In My Pocket. 2013, Wood.

Screen Shot 2017-08-21 at 10.08.07 AM — Mom’s hands and daddy’s nose. 2013, wood.

Complement these visuals with a contemplative rendition of Bach’s Christus, Der Uns Selig Macht, BWV 245, arranged by one of my favorite composers and pianists, Chad Lawson.

Julian Schnabel: New Plate Paintings

Published on March 13, 2017December 8, 2017 by lettersbysooLeave a comment

Launched to fame in the 1980’s, Julian Schnabel‘s broken ceramic plate experiments heralded in a refreshing kind of art for the contemporary art world– cutting, reminiscent, and modern via a rough handling and bondage of paint and ceramic on wood.

While Schnabel created this rose series from the inspiration he received upon one of his visits to Van Gogh’s grave in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, he has worked also with portraiture, painting and immortalizing American names like Stephanie Seymour and William Gaddis.

Closing on March 25: Catch the rose works in their entirety at the Pace Gallery, 510 W. 25th St., before it’s too late!

Bises,

Soo

A Prelude to Spring: Things I’m Loving

Published on March 1, 2017March 22, 2017 by lettersbysooLeave a comment

Our climate is in flux, the Great Barrier Reef is at risk (“in danger!” says Karlie), and New York is experiencing a true Four Seasons.

While concerns over climate change is becoming a veritable thing this season, spring to me sometimes just feels like… spring, and I’m left feeling giddy.

For those that are with me! Here’s some beauty to herald in our months of bloom with:

Pierre Yovanovitch, French interior designer:

See this extraordinary armchair complete with varnished oak feet: the Baby Bear Chair: