by Patrick Ogle
X Contemporary (227-247 NW 24th St. Miami) is an art fair focused on "cross generational" curated projects. One of these will feature the work of Grace Hartigan, an abstract expressionist artist just starting to get her due. Grace Hartigan 1960 -1965, the Perry Collection isn't the only artist being shown.
"We have three groundbreaking exhibitions that are the keystones of the fair. The Grace Hartigan work being shown by Michael Klein hasn't been seen since 1965. This will also be the first time the Colombian collective, TIMEBAG, will exhibit in the US," says Matthew Eck, director of X Contemporary. "The third major exhibition at X Contemporary will be Hecho en Cuba, a collection of never before seen work from artists who are living and working in Cuba."
Hartigan's exhibit may, to many, be the most tantalizing.
"Hartigan is an innovator. She started her career as an Abstract Expressionist yet even then she was interested in and explored how to integrate the figure into her abstract works. She slowly evolved over the course of her career away from the Ab Ex school into figurative works that were abstractions," says MIchael Klein, curator of the exhibit. "No different really than many of the Pop artists who started with a signature style but grew, developed and evolved into a larger body of visual ideas. Think of Jasper Johns or Roy Lichtenstein. Only she and de Kooning moved beyond abstraction and explored the figure and landscape as well.”
X Contemporary (227-247 NW 24th St. Miami) is an art fair focused on "cross generational" curated projects. One of these will feature the work of Grace Hartigan, an abstract expressionist artist just starting to get her due. Grace Hartigan 1960 -1965, the Perry Collection isn't the only artist being shown.
"We have three groundbreaking exhibitions that are the keystones of the fair. The Grace Hartigan work being shown by Michael Klein hasn't been seen since 1965. This will also be the first time the Colombian collective, TIMEBAG, will exhibit in the US," says Matthew Eck, director of X Contemporary. "The third major exhibition at X Contemporary will be Hecho en Cuba, a collection of never before seen work from artists who are living and working in Cuba."
Hartigan's exhibit may, to many, be the most tantalizing.
"Hartigan is an innovator. She started her career as an Abstract Expressionist yet even then she was interested in and explored how to integrate the figure into her abstract works. She slowly evolved over the course of her career away from the Ab Ex school into figurative works that were abstractions," says MIchael Klein, curator of the exhibit. "No different really than many of the Pop artists who started with a signature style but grew, developed and evolved into a larger body of visual ideas. Think of Jasper Johns or Roy Lichtenstein. Only she and de Kooning moved beyond abstraction and explored the figure and landscape as well.”
Klein says Hartigan's work and vision are larger than any historic style. While she is usually classified as an abstract expressionist, over the length of her career she expanded far beyond that label. He adds that this selection is an outstanding overview of the artist's work between 1960-65 which outlines her abstract expressionist style and how it led to her more figurative work in later years.
"Along with the paintings are seven collages that also demonstrate her talents as an abstract artist when it came to works on paper." says Klein.
These pieces also highlight her friendship and work with her dealer in Washington D.C., Beatrice Perry. This exhibit isn't all art history however. It is something to stir the minds and spur the careers of young artists.
"I think it is important as a role model for artists who might think that innovation has gone out of style and that they must create a formula and stick with it over their entire career." says Klein. "What is interesting is to read Hartigan's journals and see how clearly she saw what she wanted to do as an artist as well as what she needed to do as an artist."
"Along with the paintings are seven collages that also demonstrate her talents as an abstract artist when it came to works on paper." says Klein.
These pieces also highlight her friendship and work with her dealer in Washington D.C., Beatrice Perry. This exhibit isn't all art history however. It is something to stir the minds and spur the careers of young artists.
"I think it is important as a role model for artists who might think that innovation has gone out of style and that they must create a formula and stick with it over their entire career." says Klein. "What is interesting is to read Hartigan's journals and see how clearly she saw what she wanted to do as an artist as well as what she needed to do as an artist."
Grace Hartigan and Helen Frankenthaler
Eck is the driving force behind the fair and he says he cannot explain clearly why he did put it together the way he did.
"I feel that Miami Art Week is really the pinnacle of the art world calendar -- and I had the opportunity to host my new vision. X will be releasing our future plans early next year. It will involve traveling-- and that's all I can say," says Eck. "However, we are very happy to be in Wynwood and engaging the community and will be returning here next year."
The fair has a significant number of panels and performances for a boutique fair (and it is an eclectic mix).
"Crystal, our executive producer, put together this wonderful eclectic program. She comes from an Art History and professorial background, so our lineup comes with a strong emphasis on education," says Eck. "We are proud to offer interesting and engaging content for every fair goer. All of our performances and panel discussion will take place in our Living Room which is inside the fair."
X Contemporary, in addition to the major exhibitions, features 27 exhibitors from South America, Europe and the United States.
"I feel that Miami Art Week is really the pinnacle of the art world calendar -- and I had the opportunity to host my new vision. X will be releasing our future plans early next year. It will involve traveling-- and that's all I can say," says Eck. "However, we are very happy to be in Wynwood and engaging the community and will be returning here next year."
The fair has a significant number of panels and performances for a boutique fair (and it is an eclectic mix).
"Crystal, our executive producer, put together this wonderful eclectic program. She comes from an Art History and professorial background, so our lineup comes with a strong emphasis on education," says Eck. "We are proud to offer interesting and engaging content for every fair goer. All of our performances and panel discussion will take place in our Living Room which is inside the fair."
X Contemporary, in addition to the major exhibitions, features 27 exhibitors from South America, Europe and the United States.
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