Artio Magazin by artiogallery

ART IO

THE ART & CULTURE MAGAZINE

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Artist: Tommy Knudson / Playset, Collage, 48x48 inch

Director/Curator in Chief

Bisa Bennett

An accomplished and experienced artist herself, Bisa Bennett understands the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for artists to exhibit their work. As a curator and multimedia designer, she is also wellversed in creating engaging opportunities for viewers to experience art. “At our gallery, our vision is to serve as a dynamic and inclusive platform that fosters connections between artists and art enthusiasts, nurturing a vibrant and diverse artistic community,” she explains.

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Instagram: artio.art.gallery

Email: exhibit@artiogallery.com

Photo Artist: Marta Carceller

4 Tommy Knudson Interview

10 The Importance of the Art Fair

12 Represented Artist

Saddle speed, digital collage, 12x12 inch

ART AS ESCAPISMPAINTINGS BY

KNUDSON

TOMMY

AN INTERVIEW WITH TOMMY KNUDSON

Art and creativity are an escape for contemporary artist Tommy Knudson. The artist explains, “Since my early days in kindergarten, I have always found it challenging to communicate with others. However, through art, I discovered a profound escape where I could lose myself and forget the world around me.” Indeed, the artist’s intricately detailed, richly layered artworks can be viewed as self-contained worlds within which both the artist and the viewer can escape.

Known primarily for working in the medium of collage, Knudson builds his work using myriad and eclectic imagery. This painstaking process involves sourcing, selecting, cutting, and arranging elements. He elaborates, “I primarily identify as a collage artist, though I often incorporate oil paint into my work. Collage excites me because it unlocks creative possibilities I might not explore if I were solely focused on painting. Each step in the process reveals a new formation, creating a spiritual journey and a personal escape.”

Knudson’s practice is shaped by a range of influences from pop and gothic art to the work of the Renaissance masters. Works such as Bright Star Circus, Nightlight Lantern and Playset have a surreal narrative quality reminiscent of the fantastical imagery of Hieronymus Bosch. The artist utilises colour to unify his compositions, explaining, “Colour plays a crucial role in my artwork. It must flow harmoniously from one side to the other, establishing a relationship throughout the entire piece. The concept and main subject of the work guide my colour choices, ensuring a cohesive visual experience.”

Nightlight Lantern, collage, 48x48 inch

Bright Star Circus, collage, 48x48 inch

TThe artist’s process is a deeply personal intuitive one, with each piece evolving organically from a central idea, “I begin my artistic journey with a simple idea, which I then expand upon as I create. Each layer I add introduces new concepts, enriching the initial thought. By the end of the process, the work unfolds in a way that brings immense satisfaction to my mind,” states Knudson. This process enables the artist to build dynamic theatrical images occupied by an array of characters and forms. The result is the creation of dramatic and mysterious worlds that mystify and enthral. Knudson summarises, “My art serves as an escape, offering a unique viewpoint of expression.”

Care-Bear, collage, 48x48 inch

Mountain Heaven, collage, 24x24 inch

The Importance of the Art Fair “

The Role of Art Fairs in Shaping the Contemporary Art Market

”

Art fairs have grown in number and significance considerably in recent years. Pearl Lam writing for Forbes reported that in 2005 there were 68 major art fairs, while in 2024 there are set to be at least 377 art fairs across the world. Art fairs are an essential part of the global art market. Notable fairs in the art world calendar include big hitters such as Art Basel, Frieze, The Armory Show, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair and Art Dubai as well as fairs for more modest pockets such as the Affordable Art Fair. According to The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2024, 29% of artwork sales in 2023 were made at in-person art fairs. While the economic value of art fairs is important to note, the significance of the art fair as an epicentre for international gallerists, collectors, curators and art lovers cannot be overestimated. For example, in 2023 it was documented that 79,000 people attended Art Basel Miami Beach. The Affordable Art Fair reports that more than 3.3 million people have visited the fair worldwide since its inception in 1999.

The phenomenon of the art fair is intrinsic to the contemporary art market. Below Artio explores some of the reasons why:

A Global View

Art fairs give visitors the opportunity to visit a global collection of galleries in one location, providing a truly international view of the contemporary art market. At an art fair, an artist’s work reaches beyond a local or national audience. Those artists exhibited are located within an international context and are exposed to a broad and diverse audience of other artists, gallerists, and collectors.

Visibility & Value

The art fair has a legitimising effect on the work of both established and emerging artists. Visibility at an art fair gives an artist credibility, which therefore impacts the market value of their artwork. For example, after discovering the work of Amoako Boafo on Instagram, gallerist Mariane Ibrahim dedicated a whole booth to the artist at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019. Baofo’s presentation was an instant sell-out, motivating high demand from collectors and museums alike. According to the BBC, the record price for Boafo’s work is currently £2.5m.

An art fair can also provide visibility for historically overlooked

artists. For example, artworks from 1945 to 1975 by Surrealist Alice Rahon were presented by Gallery Wendi Norris at Frieze Masters in 2021. This exhibition was part of a resurgence of interest in the artist’s practice that saw her work included in museum exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and Tate Modern, London (2021-2022) and the Venice Biennale (2022) among others.

Current Trends

Art fairs are a barometer for measuring current trends in the art market. They are a framework for accessing work by new talent as well as established artists gaining new recognition. Programmes such as the Focus section at Frieze London showcase innovative emerging art scenes and ‘ones to watch.’ Focus presents galleries that are 12 years old or younger, creating a snapshot of what is new and upcoming. At Frieze Masters, Spotlight is a section that features presentations of rare works by 20th-century artists. In 2022, Spotlight presented 26 influential yet underrepresented female artists thereby showcasing an important, often invisible chapter of art history.

Paying attention to which galleries and artists obtained sales can also be a way of measuring current market trends. For example, Artsy documented that in the 2023 edition of Frieze, two of the biggest reported sales were sculptures by late women artists: Louise Bourgeois’ Knife Work (1949) sold for $3 million, and Lousie Nevelson’s sculpture Model for Celebration II (1976) sold for $2 million.

Network

Art fairs provide a unique confluence of artists, gallerists, curators, collectors and art lovers. They provide a platform for networking, conversation and learning. As such, they impact the shape of the art world and the art market, they help to determine trends, visibility and value. While an economic endeavour, the best fairs are arguably those that provide moments of discovery, and that ultimately celebrate the enduring power of art.

The Crown / Oil on Canvas /150 X 100 cm

BRUKU VELO

Bruku Velo does not confine his artistic practice to a single subject or medium. Working in various media from oil paint to photography, the artist captures everyday moments and eclectic subject matter. Working in a painterly style that combines abstraction and realism, Velo’s artworks are atmospheric and meditative. In paintings such as The Crown and Forgetfulness, he employs a vivid colour palette in jewel tones. These works have a dreamlike, enigmatic quality. The viewer is left to wonder at the symbolism of a regal crown writ large in The Crown as well as the significance of a bed painted among houses at night in Forgetfulness. With a background in economics, Velo has exhibited internationally, including at the Maison de Albanie in Paris, the Toolip Gallery in Budapest and with Artio Gallery in New York and in MEAM Barcelona, among others.

PAINTINGS BY CARMEN MONTILLA

Rough sea, oil on wood panel, 50 x 60 cm

CARMEN MONTILLA

C“The predominant theme of my creations draws inspiration from the vibrant turquoise blue and green of the Menorcan sea. These colours permeate everything around me, evoking a deep sense of joy and vitality; I can perceive and feel its energy in the water, the sky, and in all that surrounds me, compelling me to capture it on canvas,” explains Carmen Montilla. The artist’s dynamic and expressive paintings capture the beauty found within the Mediterranean landscape that surrounds her. In works such as Caló Roig Cave and Rough Sea Montilla depicts the elemental nature of the sea and sky. Working in acrylic or oil on canvas and wood, her gestural paintings are infused with energy, rich vibrant colour and light.

Caló Roig cave, oil on canvas, 50 x 60 cm

MARCELA VARGAS

“Homenaje” / Mixed Media on canvas / 60 x 60 cm

Marcela

Vergas is inspired by the natural world and her Latin heritage. Working primarily on wood panels the artist creates vibrant and vividly hued abstract mixed media works. Her dynamic practice embodies a dynamic interplay between colour, movement, and form. In paintings such as Drops and Homenaje, Vargas uses spatulas, acrylic paint and various other materials to build a rich surface texture and construct unique spatial compositions. The artist explains, “I record my Latin/Spanish heritage, nomadic life and appreciation for everything that surrounds me.” Vargas was born in Columbia and has honed her artistic practice in ateliers and art schools in Colombia, Belgium, Portugal and the US. She has participated in group shows in the US and Europe, most recently in The Biennale of Women In Art, SolidArt and MEAM (Museum of Modern Art Barcelona).

To the moon / Acrylic on Canvas / 14x11 inch

MARIAH TRIXIE

“My work is more than just a depiction of the earth’s beauty—it is an invitation to experience the shared humanity that connects us all to the land, the sky, and each other,” explains artist Mariah Trixie. Trixie is interested in the personal and the universal. Her paintings are inspired by the places she has travelled, and the moments she has experienced. In paintings such as Paris and To the Moon, the artist depicts light-filled landscapes using acrylic on canvas. Trixie has been drawing and painting professionally for nearly two decades, working primarily en plein air and employing the painterly language of Impressionism. Trixie hopes her paintings forge connections by communicating universal emotions and shared experiences of the natural world.

Paris 2024 / Acrylic on Canvas / 14x11 inch

TIME upCAPSULE / Insallation / 59X45X11cm

UPCYCLED BY MICHAL

M“My art is about giving objects a chance to live again,” explains Michal. The artist’s striking sculptural pieces are created using wood, glass, furniture and other found objects. In a world characterised by overconsumption and consumerism, Michal encourages the viewer to reflect upon the inherent value of materials and the poetry found in imperfection. Pieces such as Up Side Down Cycle and TIME upCAPSULE demonstrate the artist’s skill at locating new possibilities in an object or found material. These lyrical and enigmatic sculptures combine the functional with the aesthetic. Key to Michal’s practice is the process of storytelling, each one-of-a-kind artwork embodies a unique narrative quality. “I approach each piece as a story, exploring the hidden beauty and potential within objects that are often overlooked,” explains the artist.

Up Side Down Cycle / mixed media / 45X45X65cm

KENNY R.K

Kenny R.K. (Kentaro Kai) merges his diverse experiences in sports, business, and art to create works that deeply resonate with themes of perseverance and human connection. With a background in forestry, economics, and medical management, Kenny’s artistic journey is both reflective and dynamic. His painting Rock and Myself embodies the resilience forged through years of personal and professional challenges. With textured brushstrokes and emotive colors, the work symbolizes the struggles and strength found within adversity. Well Done, created in pastel, captures the fleeting yet profound bond between horse and rider moments after a show jumping competition, reflecting Kenny’s own equestrian passion. Meanwhile, The Big Moment immerses viewers in the anticipation and exhilaration of a critical juncture in the sport. Kenny’s art is a testament to his multifaceted life, where the precision of his technical background meets the raw expression of human experience.

Rock and myself / Oil canvas / 32X41cm

HENRIQUE DIOGO

Henrique

Diogo’s work blends abstract expression with intellectual depth, synthesizing philosophy, psychology, and mathematics into dynamic, evocative compositions that explore human experience and thought. In The Birth of the Rose, his bold brushstrokes, reminiscent of thorns, symbolize life’s challenges as necessary for growth and transformation, inviting viewers into a contemplative reflection on resilience and beauty.

Pine Trees That Don’t Stop Growing expands this exploration, presenting a surreal, chromatic environment where flaming leaves and towering pines defy conventional reality, representing the boundless potential of creativity and the mysteries of the subconscious. Rooted in a self-taught practice of experimentation, Diogo’s work balances technical precision with emotional exploration, forging a deep connection between reason, imagination, and the unknown. His paintings transcend traditional boundaries, establishing art as both an intellectual journey and a space for personal transformation, inviting audiences to engage with the profound interplay of thought, emotion, and discovery.

Golden light / Ink on canvas / 80X80 cm

PAOLA MONTEMAYOR

Paola

Montemayor’s work evokes serenity and introspection, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in moments of stillness and transformation. Her piece Sand Path captures the transient beauty of a warm landscape, where soft hues of ivory, beige, and taupe delicately balance to create a sense of calm and quietude. In Golden Light, abstract forms and fluid compositions encourage reflection, with the absence of defined boundaries offering space for personal interpretation and awakening. Drawing from a rich background of workshops and a lifelong dedication to artistic exploration, Montemayor’s work reflects her belief in the importance of paying attention to life’s subtleties, creating intimate connections through organic shapes, interwoven colors, and transparent layers. Her art transforms the simple into the profound, blending subtle transitions of color and form to embody the wisdom of living in the present moment.

Women Artists and the Art Market

In1989 the radical art collective The Guerilla Girls created one of their now famous artworks entitled ‘Do women have to be naked to get into the Met. Museum?’ The piece, a large billboard-style poster that appeared on the side of New York City buses, commented on the distinct lack of work by living contemporary female artists in one of America’s most hallowed institutions. In 2015 the collective returned to this subject in the work ‘How Many Women Had One-person Exhibitions At NYC Museums Last Year?’ The piece made a side-by-side comparison between female solo shows in 1985 and female solo shows in 2015. The answer is not as many as you might think, with only a single show in each major museum (the Guggenheim, Whitney, and Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art) and two shows at MoMA. Just one more show than in 1985. Not much advancement in 30 years. Such large public institutions are a barometer for understanding the art market and how art is valued. In the year 2024, how is art by female artists valued and represented by the art market? Artio explores this question and looks forward to September and the London Women in Art Biennale.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Artsy published ‘The Women Artists Market Report 2024’ to examine the position of female artists in the context of the commercial art market. Using data Artsy-specific data, the report explored trends in terms of sales enquiries and shone a light on the in-demand female artists gaining traction in the art market. Artsy found that when looking at sales enquiries on their site for 2023, only 25% of enquiries were for artworks by female-identifying artists. However, when they narrowed the data down to ultra-contemporary artists (artists born

in or after 1975) 35% of inquiries were for works by female artists. When narrowing the data set further to Gen Z artists (born after 1977) the number of works by female artists rose to 51%. Suggesting that in the context of younger artists, commercial interest is more equitable in terms of gender. Artsy also traced a distinct year-on-year growth in commercial enquiries and followers for certain female-identifying artists represented by Artsy. While the report documented significant developments in terms of female artists gaining commercial attention in a traditionally male-dominated art ecosystem, the majority of those artists documented were white and Western. The report identified a need for greater diversity and further investigation into the position of non-binary gendered artists in the art market.

In January of this year, Karina Tsui wrote in Semafor “Art by women is soaring in value as buyers seek to rewrite history.” Referencing an Artnet article comparing data on the annual auction revenue of 500 leading artists in 2023 and 2022, Tsui describes a shift in the auction market as older male fixtures, such as Andy Warhol and Frances Bacon declined in the auction rankings. While works by late female artists such as Barbara Hepworth and Lee Krasner were acquired by museums seeking to reevaluate institutional art historical biases. Tsui also remarks on the rise of African female artists in the auction rankings and an increase in women being appointed to senior positions in the art world. For example, in 2023, Mariët Westermann took the role of Director and CEO of the Guggenheim, the first ever woman to hold this position.

More recently in in March of this year, Charlotte Burns asked, “Why is the art industry

still failing women and what needs to be done?” In her article for Art Basel, Burns suggests that despite some moments of progress there is much to be done in terms of institutional gender parity and that “Affording female artists the time, space, and economic freedom to make their own work remains a radical act.” An act so historically rare, that only 1% of the National Gallery’s collection in London is made up of female artists.

It is clear that in the museum world and commercial art market, the position of women artists is a contested and complicated one. Indeed, The Guerilla Girls continue to perform their radical acts of conceptual art to expose sexism and racism in the art market and the world at large. One of their strategies is to expose the invisibility of women in traditional institutional and cultural structures of power.

The conversation about the role of female artists in the art world is an essential and ongoing one. In September of this year, The London Women in Art Biennale will contribute to this conversation by bringing together established and emerging female artists working across all media. Over 200 artists from over 50 countries will exhibit their work in London’s Chelsea Old Town Hall, presenting a truly global art of female artistic visibility. ■

The Biennale of Women In Art is a global art event designed to celebrate contemporary emale artists.

Bringing together over 200 artists from over 50 countries, this carefully curated exhibition will provide a unique opportunity for visitors to acquire artwork by new and established talent, and to give voice to previously underrepresented artists.

The Biennale of Women In Art is an important occasion to build upon existing efforts worldwide that strive for more balanced gender representation in the art realm. The exhibition will develop and reinforce the momentum of this movement, providing a platform to showcase the creative ingenuity, unique perspectives, and shared humanity of a global collection of female artists.

We look forward to welcoming thousands of art lovers, interior designers, curators and collectors across 4 days in the heart of West London. The event will incorporate a program of talks and an awards presentation.

In an increasingly interconnected world, artistic expression knows no boundaries. The Biennale of Women in Art celebrates the diverse talents of female artists who have transcended geographical and cultural limits to create works that resonate on a global scale.

Explore the extraordinary female artists selected for the 2024 edition of the London Biennale of Women in Art. ■

Flora / Oil on canvas / 80X60 cm

HSUNHUI HUANG

Hsunhui Huang’s work seamlessly blends simplicity, elegance, and introspection, inviting viewers into an intimate exploration of life’s experiences. With a background in industrial design and years of jewelry craftsmanship honed in Italy and Taiwan, Hsun now focuses on oil painting to explore themes of connection and self-discovery. Her painting Flora celebrates the quiet strength of nature, depicting its ability to nurture, inspire, and ripple through existence with beauty and humility. Meanwhile, Immerse invites viewers into a dreamlike world where mesmerizing colors and lights create a tunnel of self-reflection, bridging dreams and reality. Hsun’s use of gradient colors and graceful curves fosters resonance, allowing each viewer to interpret her works through their own lens. Inspired by the curious eyes of cats as metaphors for exploration and growth, her work reflects her artistic journey, where simplicity meets complexity, and personal stories resonate universally.

Catatonic Trance Duet 1 / mix media on wood/ 91X51 cm

RACHIDA ADDOU

Rachida Addou’s work is a raw, visceral exploration of human emotion, offering viewers a bold invitation to confront the depths of their own inner landscapes. With a practice rooted in heavy textures, raw materials, and vivid colors, Addou’s art channels her most intense and uncomfortable emotions into striking visual narratives. Her mixed media piece, Sleep Paralysis Release, captures the tension of being at a life-altering crossroads, where the weight of indecision feels paralyzing yet profoundly transformative. The vibrant reds and dynamic composition evoke the boldness required to break free from internal and external constraints. For Addou, painting is an act of liberation—a space to reconnect with her authentic self and explore boundless possibilities. Her art, unapologetic and daring, resonates with viewers as a celebration of resilience and the courage to embrace one’s truth, creating a space where vulnerability and strength coexist.

DAHYUN KIM

Dahyun Kim’s abstract works delve into the intricate dynamics of human emotions, relationships, and the universe’s interconnected nature. A graduate of philosophy and film theory, Kim transitioned into painting, where she found abstraction as her true voice. Her piece If I Bite You explores the complexity of human communication, capturing the intensity of emotions like love, jealousy, and conflict. Through rich textures and layered colors, Kim visualizes the process of emotions merging, dissolving, and resurfacing, creating a visceral language of connection. In Property of a Relationship, Kim’s mastery of oil on canvas reflects the balance between chaos and harmony, embodying the interplay of perspectives in human relationships. Her process of harmonizing textures and tones allows the viewer to witness the evolution of emotions into form. Kim’s works are not merely visual experiences but emotional landscapes that invite introspection into the universal phenomena of connection and understanding.

If I bite you /Oil on canvac / 90X65 cm

AGNES BELEZNAY

Sand Circles / Acrylic on canvas with 24K gold / 92X92 cm

Sand Circles by Agnes Beleznay is a harmonious fusion of art and feng shui philosophy, designed to channel uplifting and transformative energies into any space. Drawing inspiration from her deep understanding as a feng shui master practitioner, Beleznay creates her works in a spiritually cleansed environment, imbuing each piece with intention and positive vibrations. This artwork, part of her Authentic Feng Shui Art collection, features nine golden circles—hand-embellished with real 24K gold and textured with sand from Florida’s beaches. These elements represent the Earth and Metal cycles in feng shui, where Earth nourishes Metal, symbolizing wealth and abundance.

Through Sand Circles, Beleznay combines her expertise in ancient symbolism with her artistic skill, creating a unique piece that aligns with the 2025 feng shui chart, where Metal is essential but absent. The result is a visually stunning and energetically supportive work, perfect for cultivating harmony and prosperity in homes and offices.

NADA KELEMENOVA

Nada

Kelemenová’s Nobility is a poetic interplay of texture, color, and emotion, drawing from the natural world and the intangible energies of the universe. The piece exudes an ethereal quality, with layers of soft, earthy tones interspersed with vibrant bursts of yellow, blue, and red. These strokes rise and fall like cascading light through a forest, creating an organic rhythm that reflects the artist’s connection to the natural surroundings of her Northern Czech atelier.

The textured surface, achieved through a combination of classic painting techniques and structural experimentation, invites the viewer to trace the work’s intricate depth and movement. Nada’s passion for mixing colors and creating organic patterns is evident in every detail, capturing a delicate balance between spontaneity and deliberate craftsmanship. Nobility is not only a reflection of the artist’s devotion to nature and abstract forms but also an exploration of how emotion and energy can transform into art.

Nobility / mixed media / 103X73 cm

Artio Gallery at Stroke - Münch

May 1-5, 2025

“Beyond Borders” exhibition, hosted by ARTIO GALLERY at the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain. June 11-13th, 2025

THE ART & CULTURE MAGAZINE