GF Contemporary BEYOND THE STANDARD By Henny Buffinga Photos Luke Montavon
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ocated in the iconic art hub of Canyon Road, GF Contemporary is a fine art gallery that represents both talented emerging and established artists. It predominantly features works of mixed media using wood, steel, paper and more. “You won’t find the standard ‘oil on canvas’ here,” says owner Deborah Fritz. Always innovative and fresh, GF Contemporary is constantly bringing in new artists, so there is always something new to see. With a diverse clientele
ranging from first-time purchasers to seasoned collectors, GF Contemporary appeals to all demographics. “Santa Fe has such a broad range of lures, be it food, art, weather or performance art, we have it all and thus a very diverse clientele,” says Fritz. “The best part of my job is helping clients grow their collections.”
I decided to open Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art in 2001,” she explains. Eight years later, she opened GF Contemporary across the street to focus on less representational and more conceptual art. Using her artistic talents and business acumen, she excelled and found some extraordinary artists to feature in her gallery.
After graduating in 1996 from the University of New Mexico, Fritz decided to move to Santa Fe with the dream of becoming an artist. “It was such an exciting time in Santa Fe and the gallery world that
A former dancer and self-taught painter, Gigi Mills grew up in a circus family and is now one of GF Contemporary’s foremost artists. Referencing not only the physical world, her beaches, seascapes
Gigi Mills
and interiors demonstrate a myriad of viewpoints, resulting in truly imaginary spaces. An attention to flat geometric shapes, a rarity of detail and a tendency to define her figures as silhouettes lends anonymity to her subjects. Mills deconstructs the everyday, then surprises by uniting layers of rich oils to capture ethereal images that are both intensely personal and timeless. Her annual show will be opening on Aug. 14 at the gallery.
Fe with a particular piece in mind and are so surprised by the diversity on Canyon Road. GF Contemporary is dedicated to finding art that is cutting edge, compelling and meaningful. We understand that acquiring art can be a passionate process that occurs between the collector, artist and gallery. We strive to create a remarkable, ongoing collaboration between those three forces.”
Fritz is passionate about art, and her gallery provides a welcoming environment to celebrate that shared passion. Connecting clients with the right piece allows her to be a part of the legacy of each collection, and she loves being a part of that process.
“Our ultimate objective is for the collector to feel engaged in a long lasting relationship that will ultimately result in a life enriched by fine art and the camaraderie of the collecting process,” continues Fritz. “We would love to participate with you in your personal art journey.”
“Canyon Road is a very special place,” Fritz says. “You can wander into all sorts of galleries and see work from all over the world. Many of our visitors come to Santa
Upcoming shows include Rachel Darnell and Michael Wilding on July 10, Gigi Mills on Aug. 14 and Katie Metz on Sept. 4. For more information, visit GF Contemporary today.
GF Contemporary 707 Canyon Rd. 505.983.3707 art@gfcontemporary.com www.GFcontemporary.com