Thursday, May 23, 2013

Shopping for Art at Student Sales/Exhibitions

Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
Have any of you seen the documentary Herb and Dorothy, readers? This film tells the fascinating story of a couple (Herb and Dorothy Vogel) with modest means as a postal worker and a librarian who amass a world-class collection of modern art. My take-away from that documentary was this: anyone, with any salary, can become an art collector if the passion and interest is there.

Today, I thought it would be fun to talk about one strategy for purchasing unique and still-affordable art: by shopping at art school student exhibitions and sales.


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At the start of their documentary, the Vogels explain that they began their collection with minimalist art in the early sixties rather than pop art because the latter was at its height of popularity and cost. It was just too expensive for the couple to afford. Instead, Herb and Dorothy began by collecting pieces that

1) were affordable;
2) came from new artists that they could develop a relationship with; and
3) excited them (undoubtedly the most important part of collecting for Herb and Dorothy).

It doesn't hurt that their collection included pieces by Pablo Picasso, Richard Tuttle, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Robert Mangold, Richard Serra...just to name a few. But the cache of these established art figures only emphasizes how any artist--no matter how great their prominence may become--started out as an unknown.

Inspired by Herb and Dorothy, Adam and I decided to check out what the latest crop of art graduates (from the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts) had produced at PAFA's annual student exhibition/sale on Tuesday. The artists on display were earning their BFAs and MFAs and the talent in the gallery was through the roof. The exhibition/sale runs from May 10 - June 2, so much of the art had been sold already. Nevertheless, there were many pieces that we would have purchased--most under $1,000.
Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
Here are a few young artists that both Adam and I would love to see more of:
Laura Giannini (how cool is this lucite puzzle?):
Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
Ben Grapsy (I loved his use of color!):
Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
Jana Karpovica (this artist's work felt like a dream):
Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
Victoria Martinotti (an artist with absolute command over her medium. These paintings were breath-taking):
Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
Katia Setzer (most of her pieces were sold otherwise I might have insisted we buy them all):
Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
Meet Me in Philadelphia meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com
(all via Meet Me in Philadelphia)

Similar sales run annually at other top-tier art schools around the country, such as RISD, MICA, and Mass Art, just to name a few. Adam and I have already decided to check out PAFA's sale next year.

And even if we don't become the next Herb and Dorothy, it is always intellectually and emotionally rewarding to see and support (and purchase, if possible) young artists' work. Have you ever purchased art from an art school exhibition? If not, would you consider it?

8 comments:

  1. Never thought about doing this but it would be a really fun date night!

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  2. I loved that documentary too. You guys should also watch The Art of the Steal, which is about the art museum in Philly. Very interesting.

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  3. Love this post, so great! Actually I attend the PAFA show/sale every year! Big collectors usually do too... My friend was one of the artists exhibiting this year which you included!

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  4. Hi, Ashley -
    What a coincidence! We watched the documentary on the Vogels last week. What an amazing couple! They lived and breathed art! I loved the part of them visiting their collection at the NGA.
    Loi
    PS - Those 2 still life paintings from Katia Setzer are beautiful!!

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  5. @Filiz--Really? I'd love to know who!

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  6. His name is Justin Bean. He did the geometric work in the first picture on the right. He just graduated with his Masters!

    I also love Jana Karpovica and Katia Setzer's work too! Great picks.

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  7. I'd love to check this out sometime. Another great place to check out is a local art center. Have you been over to the Wayne Art Center? They do exhibitions and classes as well and often times some of the art is for sale. We're headed to the Collingswood Arts Fest this coming weekend and hoping to see some good stuff there as well.

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  8. @Elizabeth--I just saw your comment now. Yup, I've seen "The Art of the Steal". Fascinating, isn't it? The focus of the film, the Barnes Foundation, was just about a mile from where we live now (in Lower Merion; where it was before the collection was moved into the city last year).

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I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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