PHILADELPHIA.- Art Philadelphia 2004, a high-end contemporary art show, will paint its way into the heart of Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, May 14-17. Now in its second year, Art Philadelphia will feature the most extensive local exhibition of Picasso edition ceramics shown in Philadelphia in almost five decades. It will also feature the works of hundreds of highly acclaimed, well-known local, national and international galleries, artists, sculptors and photographers.
"We are extremely proud to bring this never-before-seen exhibition of Picasso Ceramics to Philadelphia," said Scott Pressman, Co-Producer of Art Philadelphia. "More than that, this show has something for everyone whether you are a serious art collector, occasional art collector or simply enjoy art. Visitors can simply browse, or they can purchase a painting, sculpture or photograph by a new artist who may be tomorrow’s next master."
Art Philadelphia will feature art dealers and gallery operators who will present (for exhibition and for sale) original works, etchings, lithographs, serigraphs, prints and reproductions of art created by 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century artists.
One of the highlights of this year’s show is a special exhibition of ceramic editions from the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). Picasso undoubtedly ranks as one of the most inventive, prolific and influential artist of the modern world. While Picasso might be most known as a painter, sculptor, and graphic artist, he was also highly recognized for his ceramic objects.
Not since the 1950s has an exhibit of Picasso ceramics of this scope been shown in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1958). This special exhibition includes 53 plates, bowls, pitchers, vases, and plaques created by Picasso between 1947 and 1971 at the Madoura pottery workshop in Vallauris, France.
In the summer of 1946 while vacationing on the Mediterranean coast, Picasso attended an exhibition of local handcrafts where he met George and Suzanne Ramie, owners of the Madoura Pottery. The works in this exhibition were produced in collaboration the Ramies who willingly offered Picasso space at their studio. In return, Picasso allowed the Ramies to make and selleditions and retain all profits.
The exhibition is a portion of a larger collection owned by Edward Weston of Los Angeles, California (Editor’s Note: A complete listing of the Picasso ceramic works to be exhibited is available upon request).
All attendees of Art Philadelphia have an opportunity to register for a chance to win a Picasso ceramic of their very own -- "Bird with Worm" (1952, white earthenware clay limited edition Picasso ceramic). To register, simply stop by the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the show and fill out a registration form. The winner will be announced following the show.
Artist Howard Behrens, known as the "master of the palette knife" and one of America’s most popular contemporary artists, will be the featured artist at Art Philadelphia. Behrens will autograph a free show poster that will be available for all attendees.
Classically trained and intensely focused, Behrens is known for painting with dramatic intensity - using only a palette knife to create his works. Behrens’ works are characterized as Expressionism marked primarily by spontaneity.
After a trip to Giverny, France in 2000 - Behrens completed an entire series as a "Tribute to Monet" that was exhibited at the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. in 2001. As an official artist for the Winter Olympics 2002, his painting "In Motion" was featured at the Winter Games. Numerous celebrities collect Behrens’ works, and they are now in the permanent collections of more than ten museums. The latest Behrens collectors are former President Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush, and the Italian Ambassador to the United States. Donald Trump, his girlfriend Melania Knauss, and Philadelphia favorite Pat Croce co-hosted a VIP reception for Behrens in 2002.
Art Philadelphia will feature galleries and art dealers from across the country and the world, including Israel, Chile, England, Africa, Korea, Canada and Spain. What follows are some highlights of the show:
In addition to the special Picasso Ceramic exhibition, Edward Weston Fine Arts of Los Angeles, CA will be celebrating Dali’s 100th birthday with the exhibition of two limited edition pieces: "Tristan & Isolde: Cup of Love" -- which includes a very rare hand-signed Melting Clock certificate, and "Discovery of America" -- which includes the family Crest Seal and hand signature of Marquis Diego Colon, the 20th Great Grandson of Christopher Columbus.
Weston is also scheduled to exhibit select images from "Bombshell: Classic Hollywood Glamour Photos." In describing Weston’s collection, the Los Angeles Times called it, "one of the best-known archives of portrait photography focusing on major film stars from the 1930s and 1940s." Weston’s collection of the works of Hollywood’s top photographers Clarence Sinclair Bull, George Hurrell, Laszlo Willinger and Ted Allen will include images of the faces that made Hollywood, including studio superstars Marilyn Monroe, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and more.
Known as the "artist of the people," Yuroz will perform his signature "Art massage(TM)" -- drawing on clothing while people are wearing them. Yuroz coined the phrase to describe how he paints on people’s clothes while they wear them. This is an original work of art, designed specifically for each individual. With it comes personal conversation and the touch of the artist’s hand, all for free -- no strings attached.
Born in 1956 in Soviet Armenia, Yuroz was arrested for expressing his personal thoughts through his art. He was placed in a concrete cell the size of a coffin. In 1985, he was able to emigrate to Los Angeles, where he worked odd jobs and painted whenever he could before being discovered. Since that time, Yuroz has built a broad collector base and attracts international commissions, such as a recent mural he created for the United Nations High Commission on Refugees’ 50th anniversary. Yuroz will be at Art Philadelphia courtesy of Stygian Publishing.
Several of the area’s most respected fine arts galleries will be exhibiting at Art Philadelphia, including Fleisher/Ollman Gallery, Helen Drutt, Seraphin Gallery, Works on Paper and Snyderman Gallery.
Headquartered in Las Vegas, NV, Vignettes is the exclusive publisher of "New Yorker" vintage covers, designed by the best illustrators and fine artists of our time. Vignettes will be exhibiting a large collection of these "New Yorker" covers, as well as, the works of Las Vegas Magicians Siegfried & Roy in association with Juergen Aldag; Bruno DiMaio, one of Italy’s best new figurative artists; Maui-based painters Andrew Annenberg and Piero Resta; California-based painter John Rowe; performance inspired artist Jim Stallings who creates paintings by interpreting the sound of music into color and image; and, former Cirque du Soleil performer Vital who translates his acrobatic skills onto a canvas.
Headquartered in Laguna Beach, CA, Masterpiece Publishing will be exhibiting the works of the following artists:
M.L. Snowden - Master Sculptor and winner of the Los Angeles Cathedral
Main Altar and Angel Frieze commission that is currently on Cathedral permanent grounds.
Tuan - Master Sculptor and winner of the public commissioned 15-foot Vietnam Memorial monument installation for the City of Westminster, commemorating the partnership between American and Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War.
Arian - Master Painter who received his formal training in painting and sculpture at Frudakis Academy of Classic Realism in Philadelphia, PA.
Alexandru Darida - Master Painter and recipient of numerous awards including the Formello-Roma International Prize for Painting and the Award for Excellence in the Multimedia Miniatures Show in Romania
Fidel Garcia - Master Painter whose unique artistic vision has gained recognition throughout his native Mexico and in Spain resulting in numerous exhibitions, awards and museum placements including the National Museum of Spain, the Puebla Historical Museum and the Amparo Museum in Mexico
Glen Tarnowski - Master Painter and recipient of the 1996 Angel Winner Award, a finalist in the 1997 Artist Magazine International Competition, the 1998 Oil Painters of America National Show in Washington, D.C. and the 1999 Oil Painters of America Regional Show in Chicago, Illinois.
Art Philadelphia Preview and VIP Cocktail Party/Charity Fundraiser On Friday evening, May 14, from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Art Philadelphia will host a Preview Gala featuring a VIP Cocktail Party and Charity Fundraiser. Available by invitation only, guests can preview the show before it opens to the public and enjoy food, drink and entertainment. Guests can also participate in a silent art auction. A portion of the proceeds benefits The Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia.
