We went along to Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery to check out ‘The Shape of Things’ exhibition that explores the distinctive contribution artists make to influence or reflect national identity, the intercultural nature of British society and its connection with global cultures.

Alinah Azadeh’s exhibits started with her wrapping her mother’s rice cookers and other objects that belonged to her mother who died in the Asian Tsunami of 2004. There is a poem on the wrapping called, ‘Come, Come my Beloved’ by Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi. This poem was turned into a song by Iranian singer Bijan Bijani and the cassette recording was a gift to Alinah from her mother when she was a teenager. The poem is written in Farsi, in Romanised Farsi, and English – the three languages – tongues – spoken by Alinah, her Iranian mother and her British-born daughter.

Alinah went on to collect a total of 999 objects by asking ‘givers’ to donate something that had meaning but ‘had outlived their emotional shelf life’. Each of the objects donated were submitted with a personal meaning or association they had for the ‘giver’. These meanings are displayed alongside the installation. Sometimes working with the givers, but mostly on her own, Alinah wrapped the gifts in richly colored fabrics and Sari yarn to transform them into the installation, using colors inspired by Burmese, Turkish and Persian textiles.

Rosa Nguyen has selected museum objects as inspiration for new work and is showing them alongside her new pieces. She has created new and imaginary interpretations, making connections with her work and the museum objects ‘in and outside cabinets’. Rosa works with ceramics and dried and lacquered plants and glass pieces.

Rosa’s Fleet is an arrangement of British pottery sauceboats, including an 18th century Bristol porcelain butterboat, and a 20th century blue-and-white transfer-printed boat, on a high shelf.

Altar (7) is a collection of skins* of crossbills (birds from the biology collection) with lacquered branches and large-scale glass vessels, displayed inside and outside of a museum cabinet.

The exhibition runs until Sunday 18th April. For further details of this show and upcoming shows at Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery click here.

The next blog from Coates and Scarry, ‘Lola’

This month, contemporary art website thecreativelives.com adds a new documentary series to its informative offerings. A feature on  San Diego painter Kelsey Brookes, available now, will launch the series, while future presentations will explore the work of Mark Dean Veca, Megan Whitmarsh, Porous Walker, Barry McGee, and more.

Saturday afternoon THIS los angeles welcomed Kelly Lynn Jones of Little Paper Planes and the Sumi Ink Club to their gallery space.  We went down to participate, make some fun ink drawings, and hang out.  If you haven’t checked out or heard about the Sumi Ink Club, then I really encourage you to participate if you get a chance.  It’s super fun, relaxing, and mellow. You even might get to take home one of the collaborative works.

from http://thislosangeles.com/blog/

The Sumi Ink Club is a los angeles-based drawing collective founded in 2005 by Sarah Anderson and Luke Fischbeck. The group holds regular open meetings to execute topsy-turvy, detailed, collaborative drawings using ink on paper. In each of its permutations, sumi ink club uses group drawings as a means to open and fortify social interactions that bleed into everyday life. sumi ink club is non-hierarchical: all ages, all humans, all styles.

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Show & Tell Gallery just released a new limited edition print from Canadian street artist Dan Bergeron (aka fauxreel).  The image is taken from Dan’s “Faces Of The City” series, titled “Junction Joe”, it is a capture of a street installation put up on the late Serge Gainsbourg’s house on the rue de Verneuil in Paris.  This series is a ongoing look at frailty of urban architecture and human existence, so far variations of this series has appeared in Paris and Toronto, and Dan will be hitting London in the next couple of months.

This print is available in 2 sizes.

Chromogenic Print
Limited Edition Of 15
Signed & Numbered
24″ x 16″
$180

Chromogenic Print
Limited Edition Of 3
Signed & Numbered
48″ x 32″
$1200

Check it out here

Known within the urban arts community for his self-proclaimed stained glass style, skateboarding merchandise/apparel artist David Flores is releasing a new line entitled M-LAB.

Much of Flores’s work has inspired skateboard visual culture; the artist has designed countless skateboard decks, while his prints have had lasting effects on skateboarding shoes, clothing, and accessories.

Check for new developments on the under-construction mlabconcepts.com. Meanwhile, visit the artist’s site to view his work.

One of the perks of this job is getting to work with truly amazing people all of the time. But occasionally, I get to collaborate with people who have had a direct impact on my life. Such is the case with Dave McKean.

Dave McKean is what we used to refer to as a “hyphenate.” He’s a multi-talented illustrator-photographer-comic-book-artist-graphic-designer-filmmaker-musician, who just happens to excel at each one of his specialties.

As an artist, Dave McKean changed the look of comic books when his illustrated-photo-assemblage works began gracing the covers of Neil Gaiman’s reboot of the Sandman character at DC Comics. He next tackled an incredibly ambitious Batman tale that focused not on the caped crusader, but instead on the mental institution that housed the more macabre among his rogues’ gallery. That story written by Grant Morrison was Arkham Asylum, and it quickly became (and remains) one of the best selling graphic novels of all time. His comic book works have won numerous well deserved accolades and awards, but he’s also won a World Fantasy Award for “Best Artist,” three Spectrum Awards in the categories of “Advertising”, “Book”, and “Comic,” A British Science Fiction Award in “Short Fiction” (shared with Neil Gaiman), and his film directorial debut, MirrorMask premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005. His concept designs shaped the look and feel of two entries in the Harry Potter film series, and if your CD collection veers on the darker side of pop, metal, and avant-garde, odds are you’ve got a few Dave McKean images there, too. Did I mention that he’s an accomplished jazz musician and discerning foodie?

So it would be an understatement to say that I’m feverishly proud to welcome Dave McKean this weekend at two incredible events:

On Friday, February 12th, from 6-9 PM, Dave is signing comics, books, DVDs, CD’s and limited edition art prints at La Luz de Jesus Gallery (inside the Soap Plant / Wacko complex at 4633 Hollywood Blvd., LA, CA 90027). For every item that purchase at the signing, Dave will sign one item that you bring from home. NO EXCEPTIONS! So don’t bring your entire collection of Sandman comics for him to autograph unless you plan on buying 75 items at the signing. He’s a wonderful guy and he’ll be happy to speak with you and answer questions -especially about his new body of work, which is debuting on Saturday night at Billy Shire Fine Arts.

New Works from Early Cinema is showing in conjunction with Nitrate & Kinogeists, an event sponsored by Chicago’s Century Guild and includes highlights from their inventory of historically significant and undeniably beautiful silent film posters, most of which have been lost and unseen by the public before now. In addition to large format paintings, Dave has included a series of ten smaller ink illustrations that are priced for fans. Believe me -you can totally afford these, so check out the preview on Thursday evening. Whether you’re a comic book fan or a patron of the fine arts, if you’ve been looking to add a McKean original to your collection, this is your opportunity to do so. There are also some limited edition prints for which this will be a Release Event.
Since the exhibition references and pays tribute to lost films from the silent era, there will be Video Installation with two screens playing footage of recently unearthed and restored films previously thought lost.
The artist’s reception is Saturday, February 13th, from 7-10 PM at Billy Shire Fine Arts, 5790 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. A full and complete preview will be available by Thursday evening. The paintings and posters are live on site now.

I recently came across Brendan Wenzel’s work on Tumblr and was taken by his beautiful colors and whimsical style. Check out his Wildlife of Vietnam series on his web site.

Mastodon Maze opened at the Pacific Design Center January 29th.  It featured a labyrinthine group showcasing pre-existing pieces from some of our favorite artists: Philip Cameron, Christian Cummings, Michael C. Hsiung, Daniel Ingroff, Alison O’Daniel, Paul Pescador, David Maupin, Mike Metzger, and Donnie Luu.

Mastodon Maze runs concurrent to the Art Los Angeles Contemporary at the Pacific Design Center. The show will be up from January 29 – February 11, with an opening event at 5:00pm on January 30th.

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Hello everybody!
I’m Matt Kennedy, the director of La Luz de Jesus Gallery. Some of you O.G. scenesters may remember me from back in the golden age of lowbrow when I was the manager at Billy Shire’s original Melrose location where I worked alongside gallery director Alix Sloan (and actually hired artists like Aaron Smith and Christian Clayton as gallery personnel) until 1995, when Billy Shire relocated the whole Soap Plant / Wacko operation to Los Feliz, and I entered the entertainment business.

I did a lot of acting, a bit of recording, a healthy amount of producing, and ran a few video labels that earned me the type of Geek street-cred that I’d always longed for. I even moled myself into the studio system and somehow managed to keep aware of the emerging and established  talent in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, London and elsewhere. As a patron I probably kept a few of the smaller galleries in business, and consider myself fortunate to have been presented with an opportunity to return to my roots in the Shire Empire and reacquaint myself with the artists whose careers were launched in those heady days of the early to mid 90s.

Back in May, I was presented with the opportunity to become a columnist here on Daily Dujour, and after nine months of waiting, I’ve finally been given my login info …and just in time for the 4 person exhibition that opens this Friday at La Luz de Jesus:

Danni Shinya Luo, Kim Scott, Miran Kim, Transmission Atelier

This is the first show that I’ve assembled completely on my own. When I first stepped back into the position as gallery director, the majority of the 2009 schedule was in place. As sometimes happens, there were a few re-schudules (and one rather public dropped show) that allowed me to bring some new talent to La Luz de Jesus and Billy Shire Fine Arts. I’m proud to have been the person that brought Christopher Ulrich and Myron Conan Dyal to BSFA, and to have given first shows to Jessica Dalva and Misato Otake at La Luz de Jesus. But mostly the position was one of a clerical/sales nature; managing the artists’ deadlines, contacting buyers, overseeing publicity and booking the ads. As I approach the close of my first year back, the role is much more of a balance between gallery director and show curator. I booked this Friday’s show back in July, and the joy of watching it open is difficult to express in words -least of all words that serve as an introduction.

Having seen the work in this show, I couldn’t be prouder of Shinya, Miran, Kim and Jim (aka Transmission Atelier).

With the consolidation of BSFA back into La Luz de Jesus, I feel like I’m finally getting a chance to do what I do best, and that’s to take the years of experience I have (marketing niche media) and steer it into the heart of my greatest passion -art. I’ve been overseeing a complete redesign of the La Luz de Jesus website, I’ve set up Artofficial: the official La Luz de Jesus Gallery Art Blog, and most recently launched a La Luz de Jesus Art YouTube page. The first video I’ve produced for the new blog and YouTube page is a studio visit with Danni Shinya Luo. It’s something of a trailer for her Spiritual Deficiencies exhibit, which opens this Friday alongside Miran Kim’s Uncomplicated Treats, Kim Scott’s Peep Holes and Magic Boxes, and Transmission Atelier’s If the Shadows Could March.
We’ve got a new beverage sponsor, NAKHON, and we’re expecting a special visit from a very special catering truck, too. We know how to throw a party around here and I encourage you all to come on down.

I also had my friend Jennifer do a Studio Visit with Karen Miso Hsiao, whose The Cold Returns show will be closing at CHG this Saturday. It’s a great show and I encourage you to check it out while you still can. If the link doesn’t work, you can access her video on the La Luz de Jesus Art YouTube page.

See you this weekend in the flesh, and back here next Wednesday!

On Friday afternoon a woman taking an adult education class at the Metropolitan Museum of Art accidentally fell into “The Actor,”  a rare Rose Period Picasso,  causing a large tear. Officials at the museum said that since the damage did not occur “in the focal point of the composition,” they expected that the repair would be “unobtrusive,” according to a statement released on Sunday.

Since 1952 “The Actor,”  has hung prominently at the Met, along with other examples of early paintings by this Spanish master. But on Monday, according to the NY Times,  it could be found in a new  home -  the Met’s conservation laboratory.  Experts there are trying to determine the best course of action for the 105-year-old painting’s brand-new feature: an irregular, six-inch tear running vertically along the lower right-hand corner.

More details on the repair process at the NY Times online. No word on the woman who fell into the painting.

The LA Times reports that Tatiana Khan, owner of the Chateau Allegre gallery on La Cienega Boulevard, is being accused of allegedly fabricating and selling a Picasso which she then sold for $2 million. Khan claimed the artwork — called “La Femme Au Chapeau Bleu” (The Woman in the Blue Hat) — was owned by the Malcolm Forbes family estate and was a bargain at only $2 million, according to court documents. But the art collector became suspicious several years later and contacted a Picasso expert in 2008. Enrique Mallen, director of the On-Line Picasso Project, concluded the work was “not by the hand of Pablo Picasso.”

These were among the allegations in a criminal complaint filed against Khan in U.S. District Court on Thursday. Khan, 69, is accused of executing a scheme to defraud the art prospector and hiring an artist to fabricate the 1901 Picasso drawing.

“According to the complaint, Khan allegedly told artist Maria Apelo Cruz that the real Picasso artwork had been stolen from one of Khan’s clients and that the dealer needed a copy to play a trick that would help catch the thief. Cruz, who had worked with Khan in the past, did not think much of the request, said the North Hollywood-based artist in an interview with The Times on Friday. Khan gave Cruz a photograph of the artwork to copy and paid her $1,000, the complaint alleged. Soon after, Khan allegedly sold the drawing for $2 million to the art prospector.”

Several recent books have claimed that art fraud is rampant in the market of lesser works of master artists. Like always, when a deal is too good to be true…

More info after the jump:

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As reported earlier here, Bravo TV has developed another reality show based on the contemporary art world. To be titled “Work of Art: The Next Great Artist” the show will bring together 14 aspiring artists to compete for a solo show at a nationally recognized museum and a generous cash prize.

Hosting this colorful new series is art enthusiast China Chow, alongside world-renowned art auctioneer, Simon de Pury. Joining them on the judging panel are experts Bill Powers, a New York Gallery owner and literary art contributor, Jerry Saltz, current art critic for New York Magazine, and Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, esteemed curator and owner of Salon94 gallery.

It will remain to be seen how “Great” the artists will be or how the TV exposure will help (or hinder) a career as an artist for the winner. In today’s world of “Reality” stars we almost can bet against the power of Bravo. At the very least the show is already judged by insiders dePury and Jerry Saltz. Air dates announced soon.

In each episode, contestants are faced with the challenge of creating unique pieces in a variety of media such as painting, sculpture, photography, collage and industrial design. The weekly assignments are exciting, original and will challenge the artists to push the limits of their technical skills and creative boundaries. Completed works of art will be appraised by the panel of top art world figures alongside a new celebrated guest judge every week. Through a gallery showing at the end of each challenge, the industry luminaries dictate which artists have successfully mastered the subject matter and creation of their piece, as well as whose concept leaves the greatest impact.

“Work of Art: The Next Great Artist” is produced by Pretty Matches and Magical Elves for Bravo. Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alison Benson and Eli Holzman serve as executive producers.

Courtesy ArtDaily.org