Author: Mary W
Gala Čaki, hailing from Ečka, Serbia, emerged onto the artistic scene with an innate curiosity for the enigmatic realms of fantastic painting and ambient performance. Born on March 19, 1987, her journey commenced in her hometown and unfolded against the backdrop of Serbia’s rich cultural heritage. Educated in the vibrant city of Zrenjanin, Gala’s immersion in Serbia’s thriving arts scene undoubtedly shaped her artistic vision. This foundation propelled her towards the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, where she earned dual Master Degrees in Painting and Drawing in 2011. Gala Čaki’s work is a deep dive into the human psyche,…
Bruce Cowell, an artist working in fine-art photography, has been capturing the world through his lens for over forty years. Based in Canberra, Australia, his journey in photography is a blend of professional work across various genres and a deep-seated passion for fine art. Through his fine-art photography, Cowell connects with people by telling visual stories that resonate on a deeply personal level. Cowell’s approach to photography is not merely about documenting moments but about revealing the underlying essence of human experiences. He believes that a photograph should speak to viewers, allowing them to infuse their own worldviews and life…
Swiss-born, US-based prolific artist Urs Fischer is known for his extraordinary and unclassifiable range of witty and often absurd paintings, drawings and sculptures, in which he pairs and blends for a dramatic juxtaposition (imagine a horse fused with a complete horse). The interactive work attracted special attention: nature decayed and gradually descended into chaos. Fisher now brings the process of entropy into his landmark series of digital sculptures Chaos #1–#500 (2022).”We are opening up a new dimension of creativity”: Urs Fisher Photo: Robert Banat; courtesy the artist and GagosianAt Art Basel 2017, Fisher’s plasticine replica of Rodin’s “The Kiss” took…
Art Basel, the world’s top art fair, has received a new injection of blood. Its 2024 edition (June 13-16) will be the first led by Maike Cruse.From 2013 to 2023, Cruise served as Director of Gallery Weekend Berlin (GWB). Her recent appointment is a big step: Berlin’s art market underperforms compared to its cutting-edge contemporary art scene, while Basel is known for its central role in the global art trade. But, as Cruise says, her previous role prepared her for liaising with galleries and collectors, “just on a much different scale.”Cruise joins at a time when Art Basel is rebranding,…
Augustine Chavez, an artist based in San Marcos, Texas, focuses on tackling one of the most contentious issues in contemporary American society: the treatment of undocumented immigrants. Through his diverse body of work, which includes painting, sculpture, photography, and installations with concrete and found objects, Chavez gives a voice to those often marginalized and overlooked. Chavez’s work is deeply influenced by the everyday political rhetoric surrounding the deportation of undocumented immigrants. His art advocates for these individuals, showcasing their contributions to society and challenging the negative stereotypes that often surround them. By highlighting their role in building and maintaining infrastructure,…
In a world where efficiency often trumps beauty and growth overshadows aesthetics, Ettore Albert believes beauty isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity, a force capable of saving the world. With each stroke of his brush, Albert seeks to remind us of the transformative power of aesthetics, inviting us to envision a reality where freedom and joy reign supreme. Albert’s artistic journey is steeped in the wisdom of Fyodor Dostoevsky, who once proclaimed that beauty will save the world. This belief permeates every aspect of Albert’s work, compelling him to challenge conventions and reimagine our priorities. Rather than adhering to…
Queen Sonia of Norway has described art as a “unifying force”, especially at a time of deep political polarization in Europe and around the world. Right-wing and far-right parties are expected to make headway in this week’s European elections, although Norway is not part of the EU and therefore Norwegians will not vote.Speaking at the Queen Sonia Print Awards (QPSA) ceremony in Bodø, northern Norway, on Wednesday evening, the Queen stressed the importance of open communication and culture in “turbulent times”. “We have to keep moving forward,” she added. Bodø will become one of Europe’s three cultural capitals in 2024,…
Sue Nicholas, a fine art graduate from Goldsmiths College and an MBA holder from Imperial College, University of London, delves into the intricate landscapes of the mind with her vibrant and mesmerizing paintings. Unlike many artists who explore outward identity and persona, Sue focuses on the inner dimension, the fluidity of self, and the life force within. Her work is a testament to the complexities of consciousness and the imaginative processes that drive human thought. Sue’s paintings are a visual representation of the dynamic interplay between mind and imagination. She describes her art as “visual thought patterns,” where each piece…
Grief, distance, and connection: These themes run through the abstract paintings in Soleé Darrell’s latest solo exhibition, “Where You Need to Be: Studies in Teleportation,” on view through July 13 at pt.2 Gallery in Oakland, California. Guided by her intuition, the Bermuda-born, Bay Area-based artist expresses her style through this new body of work, a cosmic array of colors that dance with awakened confidence.When I first met Darrell in 2018, I met a jewelry artist at his booth at the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco. More than five years later, the bright gemstones that once adorned her rings were…
Even though Houston is the fourth most populous city in the United States, its arts scene is in many ways a well-kept secret. Outsiders often mistakenly think that there is a lack of culture here, but in fact it is a lack of culture. concentrated culture. With a schizophrenic miasma, the seemingly endless hustle and bustle of concrete and shopping malls and anti-zoning laws, the metropolis feels simultaneously uneducated and sprawling, yet imbued with a sincere, progressive spirit , pursuing unlimited possibilities. The United States has one of the most diverse populations, and the humility, sincerity, and warmth of its…