There are two primary drivers when a collector selects art. On one side we want to understand how the work fits into the evolving images and symbols of contemporary art. On the other, whether the work has stand alone aesthetic power and resonance. It’s only when work has both timely symbolic meaning and visual power that art establishes lasting value. David Yager, the retiring President of the University of the Arts, is a collector who has knowingly selected for both. You can see what this ‘collector’s eye’ has acquired at The Art Alliance until June 16th. This Kara Walker pop-up book has a 19 ..read more

O’Neil Scott finds his voice. What does the real deal look like in contemporary visual art? To me, there are handful of true visual artists that execute with extraordinary levels of craft, bring our culture forward in a meaningful way, and embody that often missing, but all important quality, authenticity. There are the big names like Salle, Kiefer, the latter work of Guston. If you want to see art at that level here in Philadelphia, spend some time on the first floor of Corridor looking at O’Neil Scott. This artists has found his language and he is now speaking to us with something extraordin ..read more

We’re starting the summer season with something brand new and something with a measure of history. The first and last below are works by student artists appearing this weekend at the Rittenhouse art fair. In between you’ll see a sample from Evan Slapian’s collection at Works on Paper and a bit of sizzle from Pushing at Paradigm. Ella Solimene a student at Tyler School of Art, had this drawing, hanging casually at the edge of a booth in the Rittenhouse art fair. Layered images, knit together into a single reality by a compelling composition and startlingly adept use of contrast. This is a prett ..read more

Why Philadelphia? For those of you who recall the grit and sublimity of NYC before it become a billionaire’s playground, all of that is now alive and thriving in the City of Brotherly Love. In a conversation with J.J. El-Far she discussed how this is a city where an artist can afford have a life and still create. You can walk down the most beautiful, cultured and manicured residential streets and find yourself standing outside the former home of Lady Day, Harriet Tubman or Napoleon’s brother. It’s a city of streets that are often intoxicating and sometimes feel a little dangerous. You can find ..read more

Hope you enjoy this second post for May 2023. All links are live and bring you to the artist’s and gallery’s websites. Corridor Contemporary, on Frankford Avenue in Fishtown presents an interesting mix, ranging from slick (and frankly stunning) Salle ‘giclees’ to original works from regional and local artists. This Jason Andrew Turner reminds us of his work for Mural Arts, and illustrates his ability to elicit nuanced psychological insight with a simplified graphic toolkit. ‘Mecro‘, in contrast, takes a ‘more the merrier’ approach piling layers of imagery in a rich visual parfait with hints of ..read more

Posts feature the breadth of visual arts, but always with an emphasis on the visual…with talent, meaning and authenticity front and center. We welcome your comments and input… especially leads to undiscovered and under-represented talent. Branche Coverdale at Paradigm. Vibrant and funny… I truly love Branche’s work. This gem was found on Paradigm’s third floor…although I’m told Branche may have a show coming up at Paradigm this summer. Branche follows a broad history of cartoonists from Peter Saul and Robert Colescott to the later Phillip Guston. While Branche works as a full time illustrator ..read more