THE ART WORLD TURNS UP THE HEAT J. Fatima Martins Art Basel, which hosts three events annually, celebrated its 15th season in 2016, concluding the year at its United States location at the Miami Beach Convention Center (the other two locations are in Hong Kong and its home base of Basel, Switzerland), continuing its status as the art market’s chief commercial event. Attendance this year was reported to be 77,000 visitors, with over 1000 registered news reporters and art writers from around the world covering over 270 gallery displays. This year’s Art Basel Miami Beach was curated to highlight and respond to world developments, global financial tension, gender inequality, political instability, censorship and environmental crises while at the same time serving as a platform, as expected, for billions of dollars worth of art buying and selling by independent commercial … [Read more...] about ART BASEL & ART WEEK MIAMI

AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE Jenine Shereos The sheer abundance of art in Miami and Miami Beach during Art Basel is staggering. One could easily spend three days absorbing the work at Basel itself, not to mention the 25 peripheral art fairs and other art events and openings happening concurrently throughout the city. While the atmosphere is fun and exhilarating, the crowds can be overwhelming, and museum fatigue is physically and mentally exhausting. What I did not expect were the quiet moments of resonance. For me personally, as an artist trained in the craft-based media of fiber and textiles, these moments often came in the subtle transformation of materials, the ability of physical objects that exists in space to continually unfold in captivating layers of nuance. I was entranced by material explorations that beckon the viewer to look closer. For example, Tacita Dean’s … [Read more...] about ART BASEL MIAMI

INSPIRING A MORE CHEERFUL WORLD Tom Soboleski From a past that includes stints as an artist’s model, a Playboy Bunny, a blues singer and a hairdresser, Pamela Allegretto has risen into rarified air — success in two artistic vocations. Blessed with dual talent — flourishing artist an accomplished author — the Haddam, Conn. resident has found her voice and uses it to advocate for a happier world and to honor the past. “I always knew I wanted to be an artist, but I needed to make money,” Allegretto said, “so I went into hairdressing.” After 17 years she sold the business, moved to Hawaii and joined an artists’ group in Kona. The critiques the members gave each other “had a profound effect,” she said. “We were brutal with each other.” The challenge stimulated her and made her realize she could actually paint something and sell it. Allegretto’s paintings portray various … [Read more...] about ALLEGRETTO’S WHIMSY