We have been devoted fans of Trina Turk long before her visit to Charlotte in 2012 as our guest of honor for the Mint Museum Auxiliary’s Fall EnrichMint Forum. Ever since that visit where Trina and her husband Jonathan Skow (aka Mr. Turk) charmed everyone with their fashions and passion for architecture and and design, we have hoped they would open a boutique here in the Queen City. To our delight, that wish is coming true this summer and we have the pleasure of collaborating with them to design their new boutique. See below for the inspiration behind the design….and come visit the boutique opening August 1st at Southpark.
When you enter the world of Stephen Wilson’s studio, it is like stepping into a contemporary art factory. The tools he uses to create his intricate works are perfect merger of technology and his creativity. he says that “The medium is the message.” He uses fabric, thread, sculptural 3D printing, laser engraving, and painting to create his unique pieces. Each line and element is created with thread on top of luxurious fabrics. Some of his pieces contain millions of embroidery stitches and take hundreds of hours to create. Fashion influence is prevalent in his pieces. The fabrics used include Hermès silk, Chanel wool, fabrics by Marc Jacobs, Oscar De La Renta, Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Dolce & Gabanna, and Brunello Cucinelli. He is influenced by contemporary art, pop art, street art, graffiti, and iconography, as well as traditional quilting and handicrafts.
One of my favorite galleries in Charlotte is The New Gallery of Modern Art. I love director Irina Toshkova’s eye and the exciting artists and exhibitions she brings to town. I cannot wait to see the exhibition opening this evening “After the Storm” featuring works by Stephanie Hirsch. I am always drawn to works of art that reveal the intricacy of detailed work such as textile art, embroidery and beading. My husband often refers to me as “annoyingly optimistic” and these works totally resonated with my “glass half full” perspective on life….even when the glass is pretty empty. I loved this quote from the press release, “Taking the ups and downs of life, and seeing the usefulness in both, her words are informed by the universal life occurrences of being a mother, maintaining a career, and pursuing happiness in it all.”
One of favorite visits during Milan Design Week was the showroom of La Double J, founded by fashion and design editor, stylist, and journalist JJ Martin in 2015. Before we arrived, Instagram was buzzing with her newly launched tabletop collection in addition to her amazing vintage finds and sought after La Double J Editions clothing line. Known as a creative force, JJ has perfectly merged the worlds of fashion and design with her collections. The new clothing made from vintage prints debuted with 8 historic prints hand-picked from Mantero Seta, a 114 year old silk manufacturer on Lake Como who created silks for Chanel. The line has blossomed into 25 vintage patterns offered in a limited edition program that drops new models and prints every two months.
A gorgeous vision and commitment to detail made lots of dreams come true at The Mint Museum’s Coveted Couture Gala last night. We were delighted to be part of the host committee for the annual fundraising event permanently devoted to celebrating the Mint’s collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of fashions both historic and contemporary. It was truly the prettiest party the Queen City has ever seen and I had to share these images which do not do the beautiful setting justice…The profusion of peonies, orchids, roses, tulips and hydrangeas in vibrant spring colors was absolutely breathtaking!
The magical evening was chaired by charming hosts Jay Everette and Brian Speas and beautifully executed by the Mint’s incredible staff, along with brilliant event planner David Klingel, fantastic floral design by The Watered Garden, and catering by La Tea Da’s. The gala chairs’ detailed vision for the event was evident in every single detail from the first glimpse of the invitation sporting a colorful creation from Valentino’s 2007 Fall/Winter Collection to parting gifts of champagne and chocolate. Special thanks to all of the sponsors who made the evening a success!
Leading the way for the Charlotte art scene in Miami is Jerald Melberg, who was the first of the Queen City’s galleries to show at Art Miami. Art Miami is the leading international contemporary and modern art fair that takes place in the midtown Miami complex in the renowned Wynwood Arts District. It is one of the most important annual contemporary art events in the United States, attracting more than 82,000 collectors, curators, museum professionals and art enthusiasts from around the globe annually. Entering its 27th edition, Art Miami remains committed to showcasing the most important artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries in collaboration with a selection of the world’s most respected galleries.
Jerald Melberg Gallery prides itself on enjoying a fine reputation based on years of honesty and integrity among our colleagues and collectors. We provide the professionalism, proper knowledge, and expertise needed to place quality works of art in any public, private, or corporate collections.
The gallery proudly represents artists from all geographic regions of the United States, as well as Argentina and Spain. Equally diverse as our artists, are the types and styles of art they create. Among these are artists of such stature as Romare Bearden, the master American collagist of the 20th century; Wolf Kahn, considered to be the premier living American landscape painter; and Robert Motherwell, one of the leaders of the American Abstract Expressionist movement.
Jerald Melberg Gallery has worked with numerous prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, NY ; the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.; the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, OH; and the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC. Jerald Melberg Gallery has also advised Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Texaco, and Mitsubishi, as well as the United States Department of State. We also consistently loan works of art to United States embassies around the world.
Lee Hall, CRETE: MOCHLOS MORNING 2015
Mixed Media on Canvas
50 x 50 inches
JMG18281 / LH.1627
Lee Hall has pursued careers as artist, educator and writer. Her paintings allow us to share her love for subtle shapes, variety in texture and civilized muted color relationships. Her works are poetic landscapes, many deriving from the tradition of abstractions produced by meditations on nature, a tradition, which encompasses the painters of the Sung Dynasty as well as modernist, John Marin and abstract expressionist, Helen Frankenthaler.
Raul Diaz, APILADOS 2016
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
32 1/2 x 20 7/8 inches
JMG18351
Raul Diaz was born in 1952 in Cordoba, Argentina, where he continues to live and produce his art. Although Diaz studied architecture, he could not avoid the overwhelming call within himself to be a painter. Self-taught as such, he has emerged as one of the most prominent artists in Argentina. Raul Diaz has held shows all over South America and is included in numerous major collections. His dream-like paintings create ethereal textured environments, which are both mysterious and compelling. Through his technical invention and virtuoso creation of atmosphere in the physical surface of the paintings, Diaz explores the inner parts of the human soul. Undeniably nostalgic, the paintings are a look at the child we all once were, while revealing the anxieties and obsessions of the artist’s own spiritual adventure.
Wolf Kahn, GREEN REMAINS 2014
Oil on Canvas
66 x 52 inches
2014-91
Wolf Kahn was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1927 and emigrated to the U.S. as a child. After attending classes at the New School for Social Research he studied with Hans Hofmann at his School of fine art in New York City. In 1951 Kahn received his B.A. from the University of Chicago. An internationally acclaimed artist, Kahn has been honored with numerous awards, including both Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Design, the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters and has served on the New York Arts Commission. Kahn has come to be widely considered the premier landscape painter in America. Color is Wolf Kahn’s signature and he says this about his work: this is my primary interest. I am always trying to get to the danger point, where color either becomes too sweet or too harsh; too noisy or too quiet.Always striving to keep his art ‘tough’ and to keep an ‘edge’, Wolf Kahn makes landscape paintings with unmatched luminosity.
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), ORANGE LYRIC 1989
Carborundum Aquatint on German Etching Paper
17 7/8 x 23 7/8 inches (image)
27 x 32 inches (paper)
CR#477
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) was the youngest member of the heroic generation of post-war Abstract Expressionists who revolutionized painting and shifted the art world’s attention from Paris to New York. He is also the only one of the group (which included Jackson Pollock, Hans Hoffman and Willem De Kooning) for whom printmaking became a major preoccupation. Motherwell’s work as a printmaker as well as a painter distinguished him, both for his innovations in graphic media and for his stunning images.
In addition to these artists above, the gallery will also be presenting work by the following artists at Art Miami:
Click here to read about The New Gallery of Modern Art showing at Scope.
Calling all Charlotte Design Addicts! Circa Interiors is having an EPIC warehouse sale this weekend and has invited some other designers (myself included!) to participate. You will not want to miss out on the treasure hunt discovering everything from antiques and upholstery to art, accessories and lighting. There are over 1500 items that will be discounted 60-90% off of the retail pricing.
SNEAK PREVIEW for the design trade starting at 9 AM tomorrow morning!
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It is almost that time of year where the art world flies south for Art Basel Miami Beach. I could not be more excited that this year, not just one, but four, Charlotte galleries will be showing at various satellite shows in Miami. The variety of internationally renowned artists that each of the galleries are bringing to Miami is exceptional. From embroidery and collage to painting and photograms, there will be something for every art collector to experience.
The New Gallery of Modern Art will be showing at the 16th edition of SCOPE Miami Beach returns to the sands of Ocean Drive and 8th Street. Featuring 125 International Exhibitors from 22 countries and 57 cities, SCOPE Miami Beach will welcome over 50,000 visitors over the course of 6 days. Amidst an unprecedented outpouring of critical acclaim from press, curators and collectors, and a digital and social media outreach campaign garnering over 450 million impressions, SCOPE Miami Beach’s is once again poised to lead the charge for emerging contemporary art market.
The New Gallery of Modern Art offers a range of artwork that educates, supports local endeavor, builds collections and importantly, introduces the Southeast to new aesthetics.
Chandra Johnson is a lady of many talents. Not only was she a past dancer, gymnast, and model, but she has also played a major role in the arts and philanthropic communities of Charlotte. Chandra’s authenticity (along with her husband Nascar legend Jimmie Johnson) shines through in everything they support. They launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in 2006. To date, more than $6.7 million has been contributed to various organizations. The foundation currently focuses on funding K–12 public education, primarily through the Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Champions Grants program. Champions Grants have been awarded to 63 schools located in California, Oklahoma and North Carolina, where the Johnsons grew up and currently reside.
Chandra’s latest endeavor, the founding of SOCO Gallery, brings a much welcome addition to the local gallery scene and raising the bar for creative talent in the Queen City. Her passion for supporting artists and cultivating their careers is extraordinary as seen in our latest Creative Minds interview…
Collecting contemporary art brings me so much joy and I wanted to share it with my community. I also love helping artists further their careers and connecting collectors to their work. SOCO is a natural extension of this passion to provide a platform for the artists I believe in.
I started with doing pop-up exhibitions and was hooked. Ironically, SOCO Gallery is now a permanent space, but will continue to have a pop-up feel with a revolving exhibition schedule. It will always feel fresh with each new show.
Absolutely. The mission of SOCO is to bring relevant artists and artwork to our program. A lot of time, travel and research goes into the global conversation of art world happenings, and we want to bring all of that back to Charlotte. At the same time, I hope to push out great, southern work into the world as well.
I collect slowly and thoughtfully. I have to really love the artwork and the artist. I have learned, over time, how important it is to support the careers of artists you believe in. I have a connection with every single piece in my home. Once I started surrounding myself with really great work, I became addicted.
‘A Fluid Journey’ is our current group show featuring Mona Kuhn, Will Adler, LeRoy Grannis, Massimo Vitali, Karine Laval, Ken Van Sickle and Xavier Guardans. This is the first time all of these international artists have been exhibited in Charlotte. The work selected for this show builds on our qualitative state around water and all images evoke a feeling of leisure. Perfect for summer!
Liz Nielsen is opening a great show with us in September. She had two solo exhibitions in NYC earlier this year and is slated to exhibit with Danziger Gallery (NYC) next year. We are thrilled to be included in her circuit.( See more below about upcoming exhibitions)
All of my surroundings influence my taste in art. Our daily experiences shape us and Charlotte has been a big part of my life for the last 11 years.
I started my collection with a lot of research and a lot of looking. I would frequent shows in major cities, mostly NY, and travel to art fairs. You definitely start to see a pattern of what you are drawn to and exposure is the best way to train your eye, learn and grow.
Collecting is so much fun and something you can do for a lifetime. It should be a completely different thing than just a decorative piece for your house. My advice is to build slowly and invest in pieces that you love.
Diana Vreeland and Eva Hesse
I have been fantasizing about a Louise Bourgeois sculpture and a Francis Bacon.
Bali
My Iphone
Riding bikes with my family. I am always happy when I ride a bike and my kids are the same!
“Happy” by Pharrell
Photography, works on paper, canvas, sculpture, mid-century furniture, Line Vautrin compacts, books, vinyl, cocktail napkins, pickle forks, and antique china…just to name a few!
The Aspen Art Museum and The Sculpture Center in Queens.
The Whitney! They flat out nailed the new space in the west village.
Tough question – I guess I would like to be remembered as a great human, mom, wife, philanthropist and creative force.
SOCO Gallery is my new happy place and I love the Sacred Garden at Avondale Presbyterian on Park Road.
Southern Comfort (SOCO) Gallery is delighted to present its upcoming exhibition, Night Garden. An exhibition of unique photograms by the New York based artist, Liz Nielsen. The exhibition will run from September 9th through October 31st, 2015. The opening reception will be held on September 9th from 5 to 8 PM. Additionally, there will be an artist talk on September 12th from 10:30 AM to 12 PM. This will be the artist’s first exhibition with SOCO Gallery, and her first time exhibiting in North Carolina.
Liz Nielsen’s unique, jewel-toned photograms take photography in a new and unexpected direction. She uses handmade, transparent color gels and filters to create complex and layered compositions. The photograms are made using handmade negatives, experimental light and darkroom techniques that she developed over the past decade. Her studio darkroom becomes a stage for an unseen performance; she skillfully shines lights through blocks of color and whizzes flash bulbs and candles past the light-sensitive photo paper. The resulting works teeter playfully between representation and abstraction; blurring the lines between photography, painting and collage.
In this new body of work, Night Garden, layered shapes of bright colors create fantastical, organic forms that pop from dark, glossy backgrounds. The layers of intersecting lines, shapes and color reveal her analog process, and push the limits of what a photograph can be.
Liz Nielsen studied Photography at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she received her B.F.A., and attended University of Illinois at Chicago for her M.F.A. Nielsen’s work has been exhibited extensively in Chicago, New York, and Berlin; her work has been featured in solo exhibitions at Schalter Gallery (Berlin), Benrimon Contemporary (New York), Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen, MI) and in 2015 at Laurence Miller Gallery (New York) and Denny Gallery (New York) as well many group exhibitions including David Zwirner Gallery (New York), and Rawson Projects (New York). Nielsen’s work has been reviewed in the New Yorker, New York Times, Artslant, Hyperallergic, and the Wall Street Journal. She lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
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