First Open | Post-War & Contemporary Art
Jennifer Bartlett was an American artist. She was known for paintings and prints that combine the system-based aesthetic of conceptual art with the painterly approach of Neo-Expressionism. Many of her pieces were executed on small, square, enamel-coated steel plates that are combined in grid formations to create very large works.
Alexander Calder was an American artist celebrated for his revolutionary contributions to modern sculpture, including his invention of the mobile. Born into a family of artists on July 22, 1898, in Lawnton, Pennsylvania, and passing away on November 11, 1976, in New York, Calder harnessed his background in mechanical engineering to create kinetic sculptures that moved with air currents, alongside his monumental stationary sculptures known as "stabiles".
Calder's early life was marked by his creation of toys and various objects, showcasing his inherent talent and creativity from a young age. Despite initially pursuing a career in mechanical engineering, Calder's true calling in the arts was undeniable. He moved to New York City, where he enrolled at the Art Students League, laying the groundwork for his iconic artistic style. In 1926, Calder relocated to Paris, which became a pivotal moment in his career, leading to the creation of "Calder's Circus," a whimsical assembly of wire figures that gained him entry into the avant-garde art circles of Europe.
Throughout the 1930s and beyond, Calder's work evolved from figurative painting to abstract sculptures that brought motion into the realm of art, a transition influenced by his visit to Piet Mondrian's studio. His innovative mobiles and stabiles were celebrated for their ingenuity and aesthetic appeal, earning Calder international recognition and numerous accolades. Among his well-known public commissions are the .125 mobile for John F. Kennedy Airport and the monumental red-painted steel stabile, "Flamingo," for the Federal Center Plaza in Chicago.
Calder's legacy extends far beyond his sculptures; his work encompassed painting, printmaking, jewelry design, and even set and costume design for theatre productions. His influence on modern art is profound, inspiring future generations of artists to explore the kinetic possibilities of sculpture.
For art enthusiasts and collectors interested in Alexander Calder's groundbreaking work, staying informed about upcoming sales and auctions is essential. Sign up for updates to never miss an opportunity to own a piece by this influential American sculptor, highlighting his unique contributions to the art world.
Sam Gilliam was an American color field painter and lyrical abstractionist artist. Gilliam was associated with the Washington Color School, a group of Washington, D.C.-area artists that developed a form of abstract art from color field painting in the 1950s and 1960s. His works have also been described as belonging to abstract expressionism and lyrical abstraction. He worked on stretched, draped and wrapped canvas, and added sculptural 3D elements. He was recognized as the first artist to introduce the idea of a draped, painted canvas hanging without stretcher bars around 1965.
Lynne Mapp Drexler was an American abstract and representational artist, painter and photographer.
In the late 1950s, she was an abstract expressionist and was "counted among an important group of women artists whose figural and landscape works were often overlooked during the heyday of post-abstract expressionist modernism — artists such as Jane Freilicher, Lois Dodd, and Jane Wilson."
She would often go to opera and symphony performances with a sketchpad and colored crayons in hand to make sketches inspired by the music.
Lynne Mapp Drexler was an American abstract and representational artist, painter and photographer.
In the late 1950s, she was an abstract expressionist and was "counted among an important group of women artists whose figural and landscape works were often overlooked during the heyday of post-abstract expressionist modernism — artists such as Jane Freilicher, Lois Dodd, and Jane Wilson."
She would often go to opera and symphony performances with a sketchpad and colored crayons in hand to make sketches inspired by the music.
Hans Hofmann, a German-American painter, stands as a towering figure in the 20th-century art world, celebrated for his vibrant contributions to abstract expressionism. Born in Germany in 1880, Hofmann's journey in art took him across continents, from Europe to the United States, where his innovative teaching methods and bold, color-filled canvases left an indelible mark on generations of artists. His unique approach to painting, characterized by a dynamic interplay of color and form, helped bridge the gap between the European modernist traditions and the emerging American abstract art scene.
Hofmann's work is distinguished by its intense color palettes and the technique he termed "push and pull," which refers to the careful balance of color and shape to create depth and movement within the canvas. This technique not only showcased his mastery over the medium but also influenced the development of abstract expressionism, making Hofmann a pivotal figure among his contemporaries. His paintings, such as "The Gate" (1959-60), exemplify this approach and are celebrated in prestigious museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Beyond his personal contributions as an artist, Hofmann was an esteemed educator, guiding the next generation of artists through his schools in New York and Provincetown. His teaching philosophy emphasized the importance of understanding the fundamental elements of art—color, form, and space—and their interrelation, which he believed was key to achieving harmony and expression in painting.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Hans Hofmann's works represent not just significant artistic achievements but also valuable pieces of cultural history. His paintings and teachings continue to inspire and influence the art world, making his pieces highly sought after in galleries and auctions.
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David Hockney, a British artist, has been a prominent figure in the art world for over six decades, renowned for his contributions to painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and video art. His exploration of these mediums has made significant impacts on the Pop Art movement and beyond, making him one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Hockney's work is celebrated for its vibrant color palette, emotional depth, and innovative use of technology in art.
One of Hockney's most distinctive features is his ability to blend traditional techniques with modern technology, notably in his iPad drawings and photographic collages. This fusion not only showcases his skillful adaptation to contemporary mediums but also highlights his ongoing quest to explore the nature of seeing and representation in art. Hockney's landscapes and portraits, characterized by their bright colors and meticulous detail, invite viewers to see the world through his unique perspective.
Significant works by Hockney, such as "A Bigger Splash" and "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)," are housed in major museums and galleries worldwide, attesting to his global influence and appeal. These pieces, among others, demonstrate Hockney's mastery over space, light, and narrative, securing his position as a pivotal figure in modern and contemporary art.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Hockney's oeuvre presents a fascinating study in the evolution of visual arts. His work not only offers insight into the artist's personal vision but also reflects broader cultural and technological shifts in society. As interest in Hockney's art continues to grow, keeping abreast of new sales and auction events becomes increasingly valuable.
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Oscar Murillo is an artist working within the painting tradition. He currently lives and works in various locations.
In 2019, he co-won the Turner Prize after requesting with his fellow nominees (Tai Shani, Helen Cammock, and Lawrence Abu Hamdan) that the jury award the prize for the first time to all four nominated artists.
Oscar Murillo works across painting, installation, and performance, often using draped black canvases, large-scale paintings composed of stitched-together fragments, and metal structures evoking autopsy tables and rock-like sculptures formed of corn and clay. His practice can be understood as a sustained and evolving investigation of community, informed by his cross-cultural personal ties between Colombia and the UK.
Anish Kapoor is a British-Indian sculptor specializing in installation art and conceptual art.
Kapoor became known in the 1980s for his geometric or biomorphic sculptures using simple materials such as granite, limestone, marble, pigment and plaster. These early sculptures are frequently simple, curved forms, usually monochromatic and brightly coloured, using powder pigment to define and permeate the form.
Since 1995, he has worked with the highly reflective surface of polished stainless steel. These works are mirror-like, reflecting or distorting the viewer and surroundings. Over the course of the following decade Kapoor's sculptures ventured into more ambitious manipulations of form and space.
Richard Pettibone is an American painter, sculptor, graphic artist and illustrator. He created replicas of the works of pop art artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Ed Rusch. Reproduced works by leading avant-garde artists Marcel Duchamp and Constantin Brancusi.
Ellen Gallagher is a contemporary American artist, painter, graphic artist, sculptor, and film maker.
Ellen Gallagher's work often explores issues of race, identity and transformation. From the beginning, the form and content of her work has been influenced by the work of Gertrude Stein, the Negro song tradition, science fiction, and advertising aimed at African Americans. Gallagher's work is appealing for its subtle aesthetics, social and political undertones, and mixture of historical realities with science fiction.
Nam June Paik (Korean: 백남준) was a Korean American artist. He worked with a variety of media and is considered to be the founder of video art. He is credited with the first use (1974) of the term "electronic super highway" to describe the future of telecommunications.