Abstract works: Spaces that ain't places
You Should Own Art, Fourth Edition
I’ll admit that I have no small amount of trepidation putting together this this edition of Y.S.O.A. “Abstract art” seems like one of those labels, like “Jazz”, that is applied way too thoughtlessly to bodies of work that deserve a great deal more consideration. Many artists will tell you that all art is abstraction and it is down to matters of technique if you simply must create categories.
What I like about art that is highly abstract is that it forces me to confront what moves me and what doesn’t. With more figurative works, I can puzzle over the technical aspects and revel in the craft employed. Abstract work takes away the safety net of representation of objects that our brains are hardwired to recognize, forcing us into the higher order task of interpretation. While this can be highly intellectualized, ultimately we’re left with the effect a work has on us.
A few things before we get to why you’re really here:
We have two, (two!) guest contributors in this edition. Lauren Serota brings us a work from Jason Andrew Turner, and Nick Ruiz contributes work by Daniel Mauricio Cardona Morales.
In recent weeks, the New York Times published three articles touching on Y.O.S.A-ish themes. The first, “The Painter Subverting Art-World Economics, $100 at a Time”, relates a familiar anecdote: the author calls a gallery to inquire after a work only to learn, humiliatingly, that it can only be had for a price far above his station. The piece profiles the artist Jean Smith who has built a healthy living on portraits that she sells for as little as $100 each. I can’t really comment on the larger art-world economics angle, but I do think the risk of humiliation is a design flaw in the whole system that keeps a lot of people from pursuing their interest in art.
The second article, “Who Said Art Is Only for the One Percent?” takes on the artistic practice of producing multiples - works of art designed to be produced in relatively large quantities (i.e. more than one) and sold for relatively little money. The occasion is the show at the Marian Goodman Gallery of the production from Multiples, Inc, a mid-century era venture to make art available to normal people. The article also looks at contemporary artists that have made multiples part of their own practice - which is pretty entertaining.
The final article is a beautiful story about the collection of works by New York artists built over decades by the parents of Mike D from the Beastie Boys. “Mike D Is Cleaning Out the Family Attic” is ostensibly about the sale of the collection, but embedded is the story of people passionate about art and the community of people that created it. They purchased the works from people like the De Koonings, Rothko and others because they loved them, never anticipating that they be worth billions. What I love about the story is that the money is incidental, the point was the work and the community that produced. And the fact that Mike D’s mom sold a lot of the works to buy old masters is just perfect.
Lastly, the audience of Y.S.O.A. has grown quite a bit since the last edition (thanks, Rae!). So, welcome everyone. I really appreciate your attention and support of art and artists. As always, I hope you’ll take these individual works as points of entry into everything these artists are making. Tell your friends!
“Still, Broken Chevron 1, Study No. 67”
Nina Tichava
Acrylic and mixed media collage on paper
USD$350.00
The artist Ian Ingram (who also has some bananas-great prints and originals available) introduced me to Nina’s work. I subsequently spent a lot (a lot!) of time on her site and Instagram. She shares a few videos of her process that are fascinating to watch. She has much larger works, but I think even her smaller studies have a lot to reveal over time.
You can buy this work on Nina’s site.
“Arch”
Jason Andrew Turner
Sumi ink, gouache, copic, acrylic ink on paper
USD$700
From Lauren:
This is one of a series of Arches, from a broader series of work of this style. Yet even looking at any 2 of the Arches side-by-side, I get completely different feels. This is also one of the few pieces left from this series.
Jason is a mixed media artist and muralist based out of Brooklyn. I find myself just as attached to his new stuff as to his old stuff. I literally get good jitters every time I look at his work. It's both energetic and meditative, and each piece tells a completely different story. I'm pretty sure he explores a different sort of universe with each piece.
He's also just a wonderful human, regularly donating proceeds from sale of his work to causes that promote equity and justice.
You can buy this work from Jason’s site.
“Morocco Pastels 13”
Jan Prengel
Limited Edition Photograph
USD$350.00
Ok, it’s arguable whether this fits the precise definition of Abstract are, but that doesn’t stop me from loving the graphic qualities of the composition. This just makes me happy. This is part of a series of images, the rest are just as intriguing.
You can buy this photograph here.
“Hand”
Leyla Rzayeva
Oil on canvas
USD$650
Well, I can certainly say that I like a bit of representation in my abstraction. I very much appreciate how pared back this scene is but remains very human.
You can buy this painting here.
“Gray Minute #8”
Gabrielle Teschner
Acrylic ink on muslin
$900.00
I really, really love this. One of the things I love about paintings is their physical presence. When you get up close you realize that they have literal depth and are essentially works of sculpture. This work inverts that effect, what looks graphic is actually substance. It’s a little spendy, but I think it would be great to live with.
You can buy this work here.
“Acercamientos a el Sol #1”
Daniel Mauricio Cardona Morales
Oil on Canvas
USD$900
My family has strong links to Colombia. This work immediately evoke’s the colors and textures that were in our home when I grew up. Nick Ruiz is representing Daniel’s work outside of Colombia. From Nick:
Daniel is young artist with great creative talent, great strength in his lines and versatility in color, manages to express with great technique an infinite effect in his color line applied to new forms and proposals to modern art. Inspired by string theory, where life takes shape through the synchronized union of strings of light, his body of work is based on the magic that hides behind the mystery of life and the feelings decoded in a world full of light.
You can buy this painting by contacting Nick at juannicolasruiz@yahoo.com.
“Pause”
Luisa Salas
Acrylic paint on 100% cotton paper, natural texture
$550.00
Luisa has a super broad body of work that extends from small paintings like this one to murals to shoes. I love the work and the hustle in equal measure. In her paintings she can super economical with form and really expressive with color. In addition to originals (which sell out pretty fast) she has some large prints that are also really great.
You can buy this painting here.
“Blanks 9”
Large Etching
Elvia Perrin
USD$350
Elvia is prolific. Looking through her work you can see her latching onto ideas and working them through. Honestly, I had a hard timing picking one work to share. If you are into stark, expressive works, you should really dive in.
You can buy this etching here.
You can see more of Elvia’s work here.
“Ohne Titel”
Jim Harris
Acrylic on canvas
USD$510
Yes, yes, yes. This is another example of representation (possibly?) sneaking into abstraction. But dang! There is a world to discover in this tour de force.
You can buy this painting here.
You can see more of Jim’s work here.
“Sentient Slumber”
Nevia Pavletic
Colored pencil on Hahnemühle Bugra paper
USD$289
While Nevia’s work is quieter than the brain space fracture you experience looking at work like that of Hilma Af Klint, I do feel that there’s a similar exploration going on. Because her work is hand-drawn, you can see the organic-ness lurking within the organization of the images in the tiny imperfections.
You can buy this drawing from Nevia through her website here.