You are preparing for your first solo show opening in Florida. Could you please tell us more about the exhibition?
Although I have one oil painting in this exhibition mostly I paint acrylics. Essentially I work with mixed media, most of these are canvases. At times found objects and wood backings are used as palettes and later incorporated into painting and sculptures.
How did you connect with the Nac Gallery?
My friend, David Datuna, introduced me to Vincent and Carla here at NAC. Last year they invited me to show a large steel sculpture at ArtHampton in Bridgewater, NY.
You were known for your sculptures before you started painting again. Why did you decide to express yourself through painting?
I never really stopped painting despite the fact that I am known for my sculptures. I don’t see a boundary in between. Both are expressions of my creative intentions.
Can you tell us more about your painting technique?
I use acrylic primarily, occasionally oil. I tend to paint heavy and in multiple layers. I use palette knives and often fill plastic bottles with paint to make long thick lines. The paintings evolve through trial and error. I have no predetermined vision. I paint quickly and allow the painting to change daily until I find what I need.
What themes do you explore in your art?
I am not certain that “ explore” is an accurate description of my process. I consider my work to be abstract while a discover figures along the way.
How does your native Georgia inform your art?
I studied in Tbilisi but didn’t take my work seriously until I moved to New York in 2002. I felt extremely grateful to be here and art seemed to me a way to express gratitude.
Your central figures are often animals. Do you associate specific characteristics with each animal?
I do. For instance, the bull I associate with physical power. I associate the wolf with a sense of intimidation that is not always deserved. Each figure has an association, but I don’t need to overstate this. All is open to individual interpretation.
Why do you choose those animals?
While preparing the surfaces for my work, often I find an animal in these marks. However, the find result is not always this initial vision. One animal often mutates into another.
Why did you choose the title “Zurism!” for the forthcoming exhibition?
That was not my choice. I assume Vincent and Carla chose this title. Perhaps they perceive individualism peculiar to my work.
What are you looking forward to the most about coming to Florida?
It's always exciting to show my work in new venues, particularly in such a beautiful place. I hope to reach people beyond New York. Miami is new to me and my work is new to Miami.
The solo show "Zurism!" opens on Saturday April 20 with a reception from 7 - 11 pm at Nac Gallery in Fort Lauderdale
Nac Gallery, 3315 NE 32nd Street, Fort Lauderdale 33308
For more information on the exhibition, the artist or upcoming events such as monthly auctions at the gallery visit www.nacgallery.com or call 805.272.5831 or 239.321.9240
The NacGroup announces the solo show “Zurism!” by Brooklyn-based artist Zura. This will be the artist’s first solo show in Florida.
“Zurism!” focuses on Zura’s unique style of painting which stands in contrast to the serious sculptures for which he has been known throughout his career.
Vincent Harrison and Karla Livingston of Nac Gallery began introducing Zura to the Florida market in late 2012 and due to overwhelmingly positive responses have decided to curate a solo show for the artist showcasing his latest works.
The naïve renderings in “Zurism!,” are created with acrylic on canvas and a palette knife. They are explorations of abstract imagery, faces and figures. Each character is the outcome of a lengthy drawing process involving multiple canvases. Some of Zura’s works carry political connotations relating to the recent turmoil in his native Georgia.
Zura Bushurishvili is a classically trained sculptor and his large installations can be found around estates in Connecticut and the Hamptons. He was born in Tbilisi, the capital city of the Republic of Georgia where he studied at the State Academy of Fine Art.
Known internationally for his large metal sculptures Zura started to explore painting again as an additional medium. At Art Expo in 2010 he showed his paintings publicly for the first time and sold out the entire exhibition.
Says Zura, “When I’m deep in the painting process I am happy, and all troubles fade into nothing. I feel only the way canvas and a palette knife turn into the other part of my being. I consider the piece finished only when I have fully expressed my feelings and feel sure it will invoke an audience’s opinion, regardless of it’s negative or positive connotations. Everything I do, I do for the sake of beauty, love and harmony. They always appear in my paintings and I am happy to let them.”
NacGroup is a global entity that consists of a group of like minded individuals with a shared passion and purpose, who have rejected today's accepted conventional wisdom when it comes to how a gallery should operate. NacGroup offers consulting services, brokering and collection as well as estate representation. Nac Gallery, a division of NacGroup, provides a vehicle for emerging and mid-level career artists to reach their respective audiences in a targeted and effective way. Nac Gallery is a fine art gallery located in the North Beach Arts District of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“Zurism!” runs from April 19th through May 15th at Nac Gallery, 3325 NE 32nd Street, Fort Lauderdale 33308
VIP Opening: Friday, April 19, 2013. 7-11 pm
Public Opening: Saturday, April 20, 2013, 7-11 pm
For more information on “,” the artist, or upcoming events such as monthly auctions at the gallery visit www.nacgallery.com or call 805.272.5831 or 239.321.9240
The Michael Margulies Artist Agency Presents “The Valdeziacs” a solo exhibition by Kiki Valdes
MIAMI – April 1, 2013- The Michael Margulies Artist Agency is proud to present “The Valdeziacs” a solo exhibition featuring new works by painter Kiki Valdes. “The Valdeziacs” is the culmination of Valdes’ most recent works.
Many of the current paintings move into a new direction for the artist. Cartoon characters provide the first entry point to Valdes’ complex explorations of shapes, abstractions and figurative cartoon imagery. He paints the excited, cryptic images of bubbly faces and toon masks to convey a feeling of childhood nostalgia as a visual tactic to address space and form.
Valdes sees the cartoon imagery as a way to communicate and connect with a wider audience by conjuring memories. Cartoons have seeped into our consciousness since childhood and the artist uses those recognizable images and memories as a prop for questions about painting and our obsession with the familiar.
The new works in “The Valdeziacs,” the title itself a nod to popular cartoons and childhood, explore expressionism. Valdes turns various characteristics of known cartoon figures into a complete abstraction. Certain qualities like curves, exaggerated eyes and big mouth emphasize the duality of his compositions and create a battle between the familiar graphic figuration and what is familiar in painting. Valdes creates a place where darkness and light meet as he merges both and juxtaposes emotions to open a dialogue and leave space for interpretation.
“The Valdeziacs” opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 27th 2013. The exhibit will run through Friday, May 10th at 101/ Exhibit, 101 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137
Opening Reception: Saturday April 27th 7-10pm
Closing Reception: Friday May 10th 7-10pm
The Michael Margulies Artist Agency specializes in the representation and marketing of contemporary artists and artist estates. Via collaborations with galleries, art fairs, museums, and other art institutions the agency presents and promotes the utmost awareness of its art catalog while operating with an unconventional business model.
For more information please visit www.marguliesagency.com or call 305.972.8962.
What do Karl Lagerfeld, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Minnie Mouse and Darth Vader have in common? They are all popular iconic characters that inspire Miami based artist GG. To honor their iconic status, achievements and the influence they have had on his career GG created a new series entitled “Popular Demand” for his latest solo exhibition at Nac Gallery in Fort Lauderdale.
GG is known for his gallery art with an urban edge as well as his signature character “Fedo,” which he created in 2009. “Fedo” has since been immortalized in murals across South Florida and on canvases residing in many a collector’s home around the world. International collectors have indeed been taking notice and GG’s work has become popular to many who enjoy the pop-art inspired paintings.
At 22 GG is still a young artist with a long career ahead of him. His art has started to go through a visible maturation process and he is interested in exploring new ideas, styles, creative processes and narratives. We will see him explore more delicate, fine-tuned themes and emotions and experiment with new details such as text and a more muted color palette, which is a distinct departure from his use of saturated colors, flat painting style and the focus on a central character.
Yet there is no denying the popular demand for the Fedo-ed versions of painters and cartoon characters. GG was willing to oblige and paint his favorite icons. Bob Marley was snagged up before he even took his space on the walls of Nac Gallery and Andy Warhol, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, designer extraordinaire Karl Lagerfeld and Batman have sold before the exhibit even opened its doors to the public.
“Popular Demand” is showing until April 15th, 2013 at Nac Gallery but in case you cannot make it to the gallery you can check out more of GG’s work and other artists at www.nacgallery.com
Magazine Posts
Table of Contents