Mr. Brainwash continues to be highlight of Art Miami

Last year Mr. Brainwash painted Contessa Gallery’s booth causing quite a stir, this year Contessa’s Mr. Brainwash caused a media frenzy. The solo exhibit was highlighted on CBS Evening News and Miami Herald.  

Mr. Brainwash (born Thierry Guetta in 1966) began his artistic career over 17 years ago documenting the underground world of street artists. Eventually this endeavor introduced him to Banksy, who is arguably the most anonymous and famous street artist living today. With the encouragement of Banksy, Guetta began creating his own street art.

In 2008, Mr. Brainwash produced an explosive first solo show, Life is Beautiful. The epic display hundreds of breakthrough works revolutionized the art scene not only in Los Angeles, where the show was held, but worldwide. This phenomenal exhibition skyrocketed Mr. Brainwash’s popularity. His artistic evolution is chronicled in the Academy Award nominated documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, coincidently directed by Banksy. Known for his stylistic combination of pop and street art, Guetta creates his works by brilliantly fusing together historical pop imagery with contemporary cultural iconography. This year, the special exhibition showcased energetic and never before seen works by Mr. Brainwash at Art Miami which employed neon light bulbs, paper collages, broken vinyl records, metal and fiberglass.

Chaplin Subway, Original Stencil and Mixed Media on Metal, Plywood an Fiberglass

 

Mr. Brainwash, Life is Beautiful, 2018
Enameled Steel Sculpture

 

Mr. Brainwash, Imagine, 2018
Neon Light Bulb on Paper Collage

 

Mr. Brainwash, Marilyn Monroe, 2018
Broken Vinyl Records on Canvas

About Contessa Gallery

Founded in 1999, Contessa Gallery offers artworks of exceedingly high quality as well as art acquisition counsel to collectors, museums and institutions. Areas of expertise include pre-20th century, Modern and Contemporary sculpture, paintings, photography and works on paper. While many galleries focus primarily on artist representation and promotion, Contessa Gallery is collector focused. The gallery’s mission is to assist clients in developing collections that have deep personal meaning. Contessa encourages its clients to view their collections as a legacy that can be passed down through generations or to institutions.

The gallery continues to expand its clientele and reputation through its participation in prestigious art fairs, such as; Art Miami, Art New York and The Armory Show – Modern. At the philanthropic level, Contessa Gallery aims to make a difference in the community through the contribution of time, expertise, sponsorship and educational programming for museums and organizations dedicated to the arts.

For more detailed information about the gallery or artists please visit their website: www.contessagallery.com or contact Steve Hartman at 216-956-2825 or via email: art@contessagallery.com

Carolina Wickenburg is a New York–based sculptor whose work ranges from life–size public statues to portraits of her impressive clientele of European royals and distinguished art patrons. Her sculptures are striking, emotive and figurative pieces cast in bronze.

“Her Hippos” are born

Carolina’s foray into wearable sculpture was prompted by her love of jewelry and matured into a fundraising project for breast cancer research. Her hand–sculpted hippos are cast in gold, silver or brass, and inlaid with emerald eyes. Baby Hippos have recently been added to the family! Adopt a baby hippo and support Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

 Why was the hippo your inspiration for this project?

“Sculpting is an ancient, yet timeless, art form. The hippo is an ancient Egyptian mythological figure; a protector of women. The hippopotamus seemed the perfect subject for its reassuring, strong yet sensuous form, as well as its mythology. They came together for me. They made sense.”

 

How did you come into sculpting in particular?

“With a major in Psychology and a minor in Art, I began my career as a social worker focusing on the assimilation of immigrants into their local communities. During that period, we opened a community arts center. My early work there brought sculpture to my attention and that’s when I began to dabble. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed this hands-on approach to art.”

 

Do you prefer to sculpt in stone or clay?

“While I enjoy transforming stone into “flesh”, stone remains rigid and structured. The malleability of clay, however, allows for spontaneity and the freedom to let the piece evolve naturally, and as needed. The tactile feel and flexibility of the clay. The three-dimensionality of it. It’s magical.”

Tell me about your creative process?

 “Hah! I do enjoy the process, but the creative part of sculpting is highly intense, intricate and introspective. You are very much in the moment.” With an eye for detail, Carolina follows a strict approach to capture her subjects using photographs and live sittings. After completing her piece in clay (which can take up to 6 months or more depending on the size), a rubber mold is made and eventually a Bronze piece. Her goal is to capture the essence of her subjects. In her full-bodied pieces, she uses the body’s anatomy, its muscles and facial features to evoke an emotion or capture a feeling. For her portraits, her goal is not only to resemble her subjects and convey their essence, but to make each portrait a piece that stands on its own.  After every portrait is complete, Carolina prides herself in asking “would I like to have this sculpture in my house?” Her answer has to be “yes”. She finds portraits the most difficult of her works.

Carolina

 I have heard that you were born to be an artist. Tell me about that.

“I am surrounded by artists!”, she laughs. “My father was very creative. He was an avid painter and my brother is highly artistic.  And as you might expect, I married into an “artsy” family as well.”

About Carolina Wickenburg

 Born in Havana, Cuba, Carolina immigrated to the US at an early age. She and her Austrian husband, reside in New York (when not traveling to the family hotel, Casa Mia, in Austria). They have two sons. As a successful NYC based architect hailing from a long line of artists (including world-renowned Alfred Wickenburg), and with a creative eye himself, her husband recognized Carolina’s talent and encouraged her to pursue art shortly after their marriage.

Please visit Carolina Wickenburg Sculpting to see her works.

 

Swimming Pool Series débuts at Bridgehampton Museum July 5-8

Contessa Gallery welcomes Maria Svarbova to their roster of critically acclaimed artists! The 2018 Hasselblad Master of the Art Category, Maria’s distinctive style has gained her prestigious recognition in the art world. Her photography departs from traditional portraiture and focuses on experimentation with space, color, and atmosphere.

Maria was born in 1988 and currently lives in Slovakia, where she was named one of Forbes 30 under 30. Taking an interest in Socialist era architecture and public spaces, Maria transforms each scene with a modern freshness that highlights the depth and range of her creative palette. The human body throughout her oeuvre is more or less a peripheral afterthought, often portrayed as aloof and demure rather than substantive. Carefully composed figures create thematic, dream-like scenes with ordinary objects. Her images hold a silent tension that think at emergent possibilities under the lilt of clean and smooth surfaces. Maria’s unique work continues to garner international acclaim and is setting new precedents in contemporary photography.

Maria Svarbova

Maria Svarbova, Symmetry, 2017

Maria’s largest series to date, In the Swimming Pool, is inspired by her fascination with the geometric beauty of public swimming pools in Slovakia. Her compositions bring a futuristic quality to old, retro spaces. The colours and smooth tones of these photographs create a dream-like atmosphere. The stillness and artificial detachment of the figures relate to the cool, sterile setting and offer the viewer a uniquely pleasurable visual experience.

Contessa Gallery is excited to show photographs from Maria’s In the Swimming Pool Series and will be debuting them at Market Art + Design July 5th – 8th.  Click here to Preview Photographs

For inquiries on Maria’s photographs, please contact Steve Hartman via cell: 216-956-2825 or via email: steve@contessagallery.com

For inquiries on Market Art + Design VIP passes, please contact Katie Butler via email: media@contessagallery.com

Hijack Bubble Gum Girl, 2018
Oil, Stencil and Mixed Media on Cement
48 x 60 inches

Complimentary Passes to Art New York, courtesy of  Steve Hartman, President of Fine Arts Dealer Association (FADA) and owner of Contessa Gallery

If you happen to be in New York when you receive this email, then you may want to accept the complimentary passes courtesy of Contessa Gallery and visit the 2018 Art New York at Pier 94.   Art New York has established a well-known reputation for providing fine art collectors with the latest in high quality Contemporary and Modern Art. The fair will begin on May 3 and run through May 6, 2018. Contessa booth is ANY142.  Email Anna to request complimentary passes.

Contessa Gallery will be unveiling new works by Brendan Murphy, Hijack, Daniele Sigalot, and Mr. Brainwash

Hijack is one of the most talked-about, up and coming artists in today’s contemporary art scene. Hijack’s works are a revelation in street art. His imaginative and brilliantly constructed pieces are seen globally, from Los Angeles to London. Contessa Gallery will be showcasing many of Hijack’s powerful works at Art New York 2018, including his ever-popular Bubble Gum Girl in an updated version incorporating more detail and oil paint. (featured above). These new works by Hijack create colorful and meaningful perspectives on life, and Contessa Gallery is excited to highlight them in this exhibition.

Art New York, Contessa

Static Attraction, 2018, Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas by Hijack

Brendan Murphy (B. 1971) is a popular California Artist well known to collectors from Art Basel to Silicon Valley. Using a wide range of different materials and tools in his work, Murphy goes beyond traditional painting technique. In doing so, Murphy has developed his own unique style, dynamic in its combination of the abstract and the figurative. Murphy is well-known for his chalkboard series, and Contessa Gallery is proud to showcase a brand-new piece in this series at Art New York 2018.  View Inside is a monumental work created on a silver metallic chrome background. Murphy’s new use of chrome appears in another groundbreaking work that will be on view at Art New York, entitled Squeeze.

Brendan Murphy, Contessa Gallery Art New York

Brendan Murphy (B. 1971 – ) 1 View Inside, 2018
Oil, Acrylic and Gouache on Silver Metallic Chrome Background
60 x 96 inches

 

Daniele Sigalot (B. 1976) born in Rome, has had a powerful career focusing his works on big aluminum installations and unconventional mosaics. Sigalot is most well-known for his massive paper plane installations, which he has exhibited in more than thirty cities to the four corners of the globe. Upon first glance, the individual plane components of the installation are made of paper, but in actuality are each carefully hand crafted out of metal. For Art New York 2018, Sigalot has installed a brand-new installation at Contessa Gallery’s Booth,Unsent Poems. This piece is a striking addition to the exhibition. Collectors will also find a unique engraved metal piece, A Portrait of You in New York City. This piece allows the viewer to engage with and become part of the artwork.

Daniele Sigalot, Contessa Gallery, Art New York

Daniele Sigalot (B. 1976 – )
Unsent Poems, 2018
Acrylic Varnish on Aluminum
35 x 82 inches approximately

Mr. Brainwash (B. 1966 – ) is an internationally-known Pop Artist whose street art and Contemporary pieces are highly valued by collectors. Mr. Brainwash utilizes popular artistic and historic icons, including Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, Mickey Mouse, and Andy Warhol, and alters them in significant ways. Mr. Brainwash also partnered with famous street artist, Banksy, to collaborate on work and film a documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop based on Banksy’s secretive life. Contessa Gallery will be exhibiting a variety of works by Mr. Brainwash at this year’s Art New York, including a few brand-new pieces. Contessa Gallery is privileged to world premiere the first ever Mr. Brainwash Balloon Girl as the central icon of a painting.

Art New York, Contessa Gallery

Mr. Brainwash (B. 1966-)
Balloon Girl, 2018
Stencil and Mixed Media on Metal, Street Signs and Fiberglass Brick Wall
85 x 68 inches

About Contessa Gallery

Founded in 1999, Contessa Gallery offers artworks of exceedingly high quality as well as art acquisition counsel to collectors, museums and institutions. Areas of expertise include pre-20th century, Modern and Contemporary sculpture, paintings, photography and works on paper. While many galleries focus primarily on artist representation and promotion, Contessa Gallery is collector focused. The gallery’s mission is to assist clients in developing collections that have deep personal meaning. Contessa encourages its clients to view their collections as a legacy that can be passed down through generations or to institutions.

The gallery continues to expand its clientele and reputation through its participation in prestigious art fairs, such as; Art Miami, Art New York and The Armory Show – Modern. At the philanthropic level, Contessa Gallery aims to make a difference in the community through the contribution of time, expertise, sponsorship and educational programming for museums and organizations dedicated to the arts.

For more detailed information about the gallery, artists, exhibition history, art fair schedule and philanthropic support, please visit our website: www.contessagallery.com or contact Steve Hartman at 216-956-2825 or via email: art@contessagallery.com

 

Contessa Gallery’s booth for Art New York 2018 is #ANY142

For a complimentary pass email Anna@ContessaGallery.com

 

Mr. Brainwash booth blockbuster attraction at Art Miami

Contessa Gallery will be participating in the 28th annual Art Miami Fair, December 5- December 10. Contessa Gallery will hosts two booths, one entirely dedicated to Mr. Brainwash’s electrifying works. The brilliant artist will design the booth, and it is sure to be a blockbuster attraction at Art Miami.  Mr. Brainwash began his artistic career over 17 years ago documenting the underground world of street artists. His artistic evolution is chronicled in the Academy Award nominated documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, directed by Banksy. Known for his stylistic combination of pop and street art, Brainwash creates his works by fiercely fusing together historical pop imagery with contemporary cultural iconography.

 

Contessa Gallery sets up roots on Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue

Steve Hartman, current President of FADA (Fine Art Dealers Association) and owner of internationally renowned Contessa Gallery, experienced first-hand the depth of the local Palm Beach area arts and cultural scene when he experimented with a West Palm Beach satellite gallery last year.   This year a unique opportunity fell into his lap:  A high-prized locale on Worth Avenue belonging to well-known art collector and Andy Warhol muse, Jane Holzer (AKA Baby Jane)  unexpectedly became available.  Contessa Gallery is up and running at 247 Worth Avenue (former Calypso space).

Contessa Gallery’s Current Featured Exhibit

Currently on display is a specially curated collection of works by leading contemporary artists, including a very extensive selection by pop and street art sensation, Mr. Brainwash. Contessa Gallery is excited to showcase the artist’s continual revolutionary experimentation with new techniques, media, materials and subject matter. The Palm Beach gallery also features major artwork by Chuck CloseHanneke BeaumontDavid Drebin,HijackGilles CenazandottiCayla Birk., Jasper JohnsLouise NevelsonDaniele Sigalot (Blue and Joy)Tom Wesselmann and most recently, Brendan Murphy.

“The response we’ve seen to our presence in the South Florida art scene is off the charts. We’ve experienced a phenomenal welcome from Collectors.  We think our highly curated collection of impressive artists will continue to attract important patrons.” explains Steve Hartman.

 

 

For detailed information, contact Steve Hartman at 216-956-2825 or via email: art@contessagallery.com

 Art Miami (December 6-10)

One Herald Plaza at NE 14th Street on Biscayne Bay.  Contessa Gallery’s booths for Art Miami 2017 are #A137a & #A137b.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura Munder exclusively at Hamilton Jewelers

Yes, that is Laura Munder who you’ve seen again on the Avenue.  While her well-known eponymous boutique on Worth Avenue closed several years ago, fine jewelry designer Laura Munder has returned to Palm Beach through a new exclusive relationship with Hamilton Jewelers.   Known for her color-rich branded pieces, many one-of-a-kind, she closed her retail store in 2010 to focus more on the creative process.  Since that time, Laura has been working on launching a new line of fashion-oriented pieces.  She has also  produced a new collection of “past hits,” remaking some of her most successful designs in new materials and stones. “I have been committed to working in the studio rather than in the store,” she said.

Laura Munder, artistic and fashion-driven

Since 1997, Laura’s appeal has always been fueled by an artistic and fashion-driven approach to designing. Being a long-time jewelry collector and jewelry lover herself, Laura’s design philosophy fuels her production of fresh, stylish pieces that she would want to have and wear. Stones are found all around the world. Her collection includes many one-of-a-kind pieces made with mandarin garnet, a rare stone available in extremely limited quantities.  A striking addition to the collection is the use of blackened gold in combination with diamonds, mandarin garnet, sapphires and tourmaline. “The blackening of gold represents the sense of old-world style, while the introduction of the colored gemstones produces a fresh and modern look,” says Laura.

Laura has spent a lifetime in the jewelry business. As the daughter of a renowned diamond expert, Laura quickly learned the skill of distinguishing remarkable stones and the talent required to delicately mold them into works of art. Her jewelry’s extravagant use of colorful gemstones, unusual cuts and unique settings have garnered loyalty from serious collectors.

Laura Munder, nationally recognized

The style of the Laura Munder Fine Jewelry Collection has also been recognized by national media. Women’s Wear Daily has identified Laura as one of the industry’s newest designers to contribute to the rise of branded jewelry. Pieces from Laura’s collection regularly appear in national fashion publications such as Vogue, Town and Country, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Women’s Wear Daily, InStyle, Glamour, as well as The New York Times.

Hollywood has been very interested in Laura Munder, with many celebrities spotted around town in her designs, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Jada Pinkett Smith, Anne Hathaway, and Molly Simms.

To experience the Laura Munder precious jewelry collection in person, visit Hamilton Jewelers, 215 Worth Avenue.  Laura’s exquisite pieces will also soon be available online shortly at www.hamiltonjewelers.com.

 

 

The Silver Fund celebrates its 6th year at Masterpiece London, June 29-July 5

Masterpiece London launched in 2010 with a unique focus on cross-collecting. Over the past seven years it has established itself as the leading international event for viewing and buying the finest works of art, from antiquity to the present day. This fusion of heritage and style, tradition and the contemporary draws close to 40,000 visitors each year for an exceptional week of cultural, culinary and social experiences in the heart of London.

 Located on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Masterpiece is an unmissable event at the height of the capital’s summer arts season.

The Silver Fund StandMasterpiece offers a diverse range of exhibitors and their treasures, as well as dining at some of London’s finest establishments within the fair including Le Caprice, The Ivy, and Scott’s... all against the backdrop of Christopher Wren’s Royal Hospital Chelsea. And all of this is walking distance from the heart of London.

The Silver Fund is exhibiting their exceptional collection of 20th-century silver from master silversmiths including Georg Jensen, Jean E. Puiforcat, and Jean Despres, as well as a curated selection of 20th-century furniture with a focus on American pieces from the 1960s and 1970s.

“Masterpiece’s star is rising. The event is fast becoming the most imaginative and glamorous art and antiques fair in the world.”– Susan Moore, The Financial Times

 

Michael James and Jason Laskey, Principals of the Silver Fund, offered Altima a limited number of tickets for its subscribers. If you would like to receive complimentary tickets, please email us at Maribel@AltimaPalmBeach.com

Public Fair Days

June 29 – 30, 11 am – 9 pm

July 1 – 2, 11 am – 7 pm

July 3 – 5, 11 am – 9 pm

 

Isabel Saad’s Photographic Palm Beach Début Exhibit Sells out

 Those of us who attended the recent photographic exhibit at The Center for Creative Education met the talented Isabel Saad and witnessed first hand the young lady’s impressive collection, which sold out opening night! Isabel Saad’s recent show of her engaging new photographs, curated by Bruce Helander for The Gallery at Center for Creative Education located in historic Northwood, West Palm Beach, opened on May 6th.

The exhibition was completely sold out by the end of her well-attended opening reception, as every one of the photographic

Norka Aron, Isabel Saad, David Aronberg

works from Ms. Saad’s first solo show were snapped up, with a percentage of sales proceeds going directly to the CCE for educational programs. Collectors include Lori Stoll, State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Charles Bianco, Aron Family Collection, William Louis-Dreyfus, and artists Bruce Helander and Alex Guofeng Cao. Adjacent to the recently completed Conrad N. Hilton Theater, The Gallery opened in 2013 and is a spacious 1,500 square foot area that presents a spacious and bright platform for ongoing exhibitions that focus on student artworks in addition to established artists with local and national standing.
“Isabel Saad’s photography was a standout amidst the works of many student pieces being exhibited in what has been the most robust collection of student works The Gallery at Center for Creative Education has exhibited to-date.  With varying levels of artistic merit, the artworks and opening reception were well received by art aficionados and casual collectors alike with the stamp of approval being the sold out works by Isabel Saad,” said Jonathon Ortiz-Smykla, Gallery Manager.
Isabel Saad, who currently is a photography and English literature major at the prestigious New School Parsons School of Design in New York City, has had a strong interest in photography for a number of years. This interest developed into a recognized style, quite often influenced by her discoveries and documentation of urban street activities, from department store windows to pedestrians passing provocative billboards and advertisements. Some of her works concentrate on self-portraiture and other figurative representations, which can elicit a mysterious and pensive depiction. In some examples, Ms. Saad can appropriate an historical or theatrical connection, such as her Red Shoes composition that seems to connect with Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. In others, the photographer examines the unusual aesthetics of emptiness, such as an empty classroom where vacant tables and chairs take advantage of shadows and natural light, set up an unexpected minimal composition that is surprising and memorable.

Isabel Saad, who at a young age has lived in and traveled across two continents, has developed an interest not only in photography but in film making, drawing and design, creative writing and acting. She has attended Phillips Academy Andover, Cambridge University, the New York Film Academy, the nation’s only early college Bard College at Simon’s Rock and the Boca Raton Museum of Art School, among others.

In addition to her exhibit, The Gallery at CCE is showing photographs of Dreyfoos School students who major in photography and the work of Lot23 students.  The exhibition is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am – 5:00pm and continues through May 27th.  The Center for Creative Education is located at 425 24th Street, West Palm Beach, Fl 33401. 

For additional information please contact, Jonathon Ortiz-Smykla, Gallery Manager, The Gallery at Center for Creative Education at (561) 805-9927 or jonathono@cceflorida.org

To view photos from opening night, click here. 

Following a successful career on Wall Street as an investment advisor and Vice-President of UBS / PaineWebber, Steven Hartman took the bold step of founding Contessa Gallery to fulfill his passion of becoming a fine art dealer.  He comes to the Art World with a passion for both Right Brain and Left Brain thinking. 

“I’ve always been a believer in the mantra that if you follow your passion, you will be successful in life.  I am blessed that my avocation became my vocation.” remarks Steve. 

A collector from the early age of nineteen, “I collected everything at the start,” explains Steve, “coins, baseball cards, wine and art,  but it wasn’t’ until I began purchasing art that everything fell into place for me.  Since that time, purchasing art at has always been at the top of my To Do List and brought me the most pleasure.”

Founded in 1999, Contessa Gallery is a Fine Art Dealers Association Member (FADA) offering artworks of exceedingly high quality as well as art acquisition counsel to collectors, museums and institutions. Coupled with a strong commitment to service and connoisseurship, Contessa Gallery has developed a notable local, national, and international following and a reputation for integrity and excellence.  Contessa Gallery has continued to build its highly-respected profile through curating important exhibitions and participating in prestigious art fairs. 

At first meeting with Steve, it’s easy to see what has made Contessa Gallery such a powerhouse in the art industry.  Contessa Gallery is driven by Steve’s three main principles: passion, integrity and education.

“I think the location of our home office in Cleveland, Ohio has provided us with a unique opportunity to plug a Midwestern work ethic and values into the prestigious hip world of curating fine art collections.  We work with exclusive, high-profile clients including many Forbes 400 members, athletes, celebrities and corporate business leaders while maintaining a high-degree of privacy and discretion.” explains Steve.   

 

“Many gallery owners are artsy but they lack business savvy, or they are business savvy without being passionate and knowledgeable about art.  Before entering the art world, I worked on Wall Street in one of the most private and regulated industries in the world.  I have brought those skill sets and knowledge to evaluate what is under, fairly, and over-valued to the art world.  At Contessa, we approach building a legacy collection that will stand the test of time for multiple generations.” explains Hartman. 

Contessa Gallery I 539 Clematis Street I West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Open Monday -Saturday 11-5 PM and by Appointment (216) 956 2825

Steve@ContessaGallery.com  www.ContessaGallery.com

Dress Shirts for men who dream BIG and live BOLD

After years of being underwhelmed by drab colors and patterns in the men’s department, Wyatt Koch embarked on a journey to liven up wardrobes with his bold, colorful button down shirts for men. Wyatt Ingraham‘s recent launch party took place at EmKo in West Palm Beach.  Guests were wowed by a high energy fashion show, wild costumed characters and racks of Wyatt Ingraham’s electrifying designs.

The crowd erupted when Wyatt, donning a vibrant yellow blazer and his own colorful shamrock button down, gave an energetic champagne toast after the runway show, describing the inspiration behind his designs and thanking a number of people for their all of their help and support. Wyatt and his team are thrilled to now have their shirts available online. Click here to shop and show your support.

Click below for a taste of Wyatt Ingraham’s BOLD designs

 

Click here to View Collection and Shop