Art of Today

By Lola Thélin

THREE SOUTH FLORIDA GALLERISTS AND CURATORS OFFER INSIGHT INTO THE ARTISTS, MEDIUMS, AND TOPICS LEADING THE WAY IN THE CONTEMPORARY ART WORLD

Contemporary art seems to always be having a moment. The best examples of contemporary art—which is simply defined as “the art of today”—have the uncanny ability to thrive in a global, multifaceted environment and connect with viewers across a variety of platforms. Cultural Council for Palm Beach County recently spoke with Adeze Wilford, curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA); Devon McCready, gallery director of Samuel Owen Gallery on Palm Beach; and Nick Hissom, co-owner of Aktion Art on Palm Beach, to better understand the current nuances of the allencompassing art genre.

CCPBC: What excites you about contemporary art?

Wilford: Contemporary art drew me in early in my career because of the opportunity to engage with living artists. You get to know them, spend time in their studio, and hear firsthand why a gesture is important or how they source specific materials.

McCready: The contemporary art world is one of the most exciting and unpredictable industries in the world. I love exploring the vast variety of mediums available to artists and how they are constantly pushing those limits.

Hissom: It is a fast-moving, fasttraveling international art community that has its finger directly on the pulse, helping to introduce and create culture and art throughout the world. Are there any specific forms of expression coming through in contemporary art?

Hissom: There is certainly this idea of contemporary surrealism and flatness, particularly when applied to colorful landscapes, that is coming back. Surrealism is one of the most interesting forms of expression through art, and to reimagine it in a contemporary way is both incredibly challenging and stimulating. In the modern day we are exposed to so much fantasy through special effects and technology; it makes it hard to paint something as captivating by comparison, so it’s a real triumph when done right.

Is there a dominant aesthetic in contemporary art?

Hissom: I would say either abstract expressionism or modern surrealism. Abstract expression in one form or the other has been highly dominant since its emergence in the 1940s and ’50s, and the Pop Art movement has, of course, captivated much of contemporary figuratism and portraiture. But now, art is very openended in terms of stylistically what it can be. There is definitely a revisitation of surrealism starting to emerge over the past three to five years, but I would still say abstract is more widely dominant for now.

Who are your favorite female artists painting contemporary surrealism?

McCready: Audra Weaser creates dreamlike, watery, abstract paintings with a unique process. She builds up different washes on color on a wood panel, then sands away at the surface to reveal pieces of the layers underneath. Her compositions are inspired by [the] photos she has taken in nature.

Hissom: Hilary Pecis is definitely one of my favorites, as well as Shara Hughes.

Large auction houses have shown a growing interest in pop culture and cross-branded collectibles. How does this affect an artist’s appeal?

McCready: A great example of this cross-branding is the collaboration between surfer/artist Tim Bessell and The Warhol Foundation. This series features surfboards with iconic Warhol images that can be installed as wall art but also come with fins and can function as real surfboards. After learning that

Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn sold for $195 million at Sotheby’s this spring, I noticed an increased interest in the Bessell x Warhol collaboration. Cross-branded collectibles and collaborations like this one can give collectors on every level the ability to participate in these historic, record-breaking sales.

Any collaborations that are catching your eye?

Wilford: I’ve been following what Nina Chanel Abney has been doing in this space; she released some innovative collectible items that seamlessly fit in with her larger practice. Her most recent collaboration with the Jordan Brand for a capsule collection of sneakers and clothing was really exciting. I also love that the branding featured the founders of BLK MKT Vintage, an incredible store that specializes in vintage housewares and books [that] look at Black American culture in an accessible and fresh way.

How does technology and science advance contemporary art?

Wilford: I’m really interested in the ways visual art and performance can build new methodologies within a rapidly changing tech landscape. Artists are such visionaries and can bring new ideas to these conversations about building the tech that will shape our future. Rashaad Newsome has been doing impressive things with merging his practice that explores Black visual culture across the diaspora, the LGBTQIA community, and cutting-edge technology. He’s been working with AI on this ongoing project called Being, and it blends video and performance with explorations of mental health within the Black community in the wake of George Floyd.

Who is melding technology with art in unique ways?

McCready: I am fascinated by the artwork of British photographer Nick Veasey. Using a large format X-ray machine, Veasey creates X-ray photographs of everyday objects and vehicles. The image is comprised of hundreds of smaller X-rays. Veasey is limited by the film size of 14 inch by 17 inch. To capture any object larger than this size, he must dismantle the subject and X-ray each element individually.

Hissom: I love the work of ThankYouX [Ryan Wilson]. Not only do his swirling colors and brushstrokes deeply captivate the viewer, but his incorporation of digital screens displaying unique NFTs into his work takes the canvases to another level. Credited as the inventor of “phigital” [physical and digital] art, his work includes musical collaborations with Hans Zimmer, video-game-level world building, and museum-quality painterly technique.

How have artists’ choice of materials changed recently? Is the industry going more green?

Wilford: I do see artists being engaged with ecologically sustainable practices, including material choices. I’ve also noticed institutions making decisions like shipping via boat rather than air … and measures like that really can make a difference. MOCA was designed to be a completely flexible space, so we do a lot of wall building for our exhibitions. I’m committed to exploring new ways to do this [that allow] for reusing of materials.

What social themes do you see interpreted through art?

Hissom: I think the primary theme that I have seen commented on in some form or another most dominantly over the past few years has been the pandemic. As it has affected us all, it has also affected every artist—the isolation, reflection, and change in society. Some artists have struggled, some have excelled creatively, many have drawn inspiration from the emotions they experienced, and others have directly depicted viruses or health in their artistry. Which artists’ social messages have resonated with you?

Hissom: Kevin Hees’ series AKT: Acceptance, Kindness, and Tolerance became a main theme of inspiration and light for me during [the pandemic]. His motifs of universal positivity and spiritual freedom resonated with me on a personal level and made me feel less closed in at home.

Wilford: I’ve really admired Nicole Fleetwood’s exploration of the criminal justice and carceral system with her exhibition and long-term research project Marking Time. Here in Miami, I’ve really responded to Reginald O’Neal’s recent installation 18 Years and Counting at Oolite Arts in the exhibition “Lean To.” It is an immersive space that replicates the square footage of a prison cell and is activated by a portrait of the artist’s father and audio recordings of their familial conversations throughout O’Neal’s father’s ongoing incarceration.

Is the art world paying more attention to BIPOC and LGBTQIA contemporary artists?

Wilford: We are in a place where there are faster means of information and images being shared with the world, and it feels a lot more present in everyday conversation than in generations past. However, there have always been galleries and collectors who have engaged with and collected artists who have existed outside of the margins of the dominant discourse. The role of artists throughout time has been to engage with the social and political climate of their time. They respond to oppression, changing cultural norms, and the issues at the forefront of the world’s focus. That has never changed. Prior to the political uprisings in 2020, there was greater attention being paid to BIPOC and LGBTQIA artists, but I think that also has a lot to do with the landscape of cultural producers including artists, curators, and museum directors evolving to begin to represent a fuller picture of where we are nationally.

How does MOCA help chart the next big artist?

Wilford: MOCA’s primary role is to provide a platform for artists who have been left out of the dominant art historical discourse and to present living artists’ work at pivotal moments in their careers. We work with artists who we feel have [a] timeliness to their practice—artists who are engaged with sociopolitical issues and artists who have been under-explored are who make up our program. My curatorial practice is artist-driven, and I find inspiration through being in conversation with artists who have long-term established careers [and] artists who are just finishing MFA programs. I’m hoping to keep that duality present in my work at MOCA. I think that balance of established and emerging is where meaningful explorations can begin.

As of late, have you noticed any trends emerge from your

I see a trend toward visually uplifting artwork. From my insight on what collectors want for their residential collections, I can see a trend toward art that is energetic, dynamic, and playful. The aesthetic is bright and colorful, with an emphasis on nuanced techniques and materials. I also have noticed collectors wanting to diversify the artists they collect. They want artists of different backgrounds and who employ innovative techniques.

How do you advise a first-time buyer?

McCready: The world of contemporary art collecting is intimidating and opaque to new buyers. By asking questions and understanding the buyer’s goals I can best assist them in their first acquisition. As a 28-yearold gallery owner and director, I find myself in a unique position working in parallel with collectors to demystify the contemporary art market.

Hissom: We advise our buyers based off their needs— working within their wants and level of interest in art from an aesthetic or per-project basis, advising on art as an investment value asset, or creating from scratch a dynamic and well-rounded collection. ❖

Palm Beach

Acquavella

In its 100-year history, New York–based Acquavella has provided international collectors and museums with works from old masters through to the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries.

340 Royal Poinciana Way Suite M309, acquavellagalleries.com, 561.283.3415

Adelson Galleries

With locations in New York and Palm Beach, Adelson Galleries is a family-run enterprise that showcases living artists with strong aesthetic, technical, and academic merit.

318 Worth Ave., adelsongalleries.com, 561.720.2079

Aktion Art

Run by Nick Hissom and Kameron Ramirez, Aktion Art offers gallery, advisory, and dealer services. Hissom and Ramirez also foster the work of emerging artists, with a roster that includes Kevin Hees, Connor Addison, and ThankYouX.

150 Worth Ave. Suite 224, aktionart. com

Ben Brown Fine Arts

This recent London transplant presents curated selections of iconic works by gallery artists and twentieth-century masters.

244 Worth Ave., benbrownfinearts.com, 561.366.9985

Brintz Gallery

Founded in 2014, Brintz exhibits and promotes established, mid-career, and emerging artists, with a focus toward painting and sculpture.

375 S. County Road, brintzgallery.com, 561.469.7771

Dtr Modern

DTR Modern has strong relationships with some of today’s modern masters and showcases works by blue-chip artists from the last 100 years.

408 Hibiscus Ave., dtrmodern.com, 561.366.9387

Findlay Galleries

Founded in 1870, Findlay Galleries is the second oldest art gallery in the United States and opened its Palm Beach location in 1961. The gallery represents more than 100 artists and artist estates, presenting bimonthly exhibitions featuring works from a wide range of styles, including impressionism, l’Ecole de Rouen, L’Ecole de Paris, mid-century American abstraction, and European modernism alongside a highly regarded stable of contemporary artists.

165 Worth Ave., findlaygalleries.com, 561.655.2090

Galeria Of Sculpture

Peruse museum-quality art glass by American and European artists, including unique furniture pieces.

11 Via Parigi, galeriaofsculpture.com, 561.659.7557

Gallery Biba

Paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by modern and contemporary masters abound at Gallery Biba.

224A Worth Ave., gallerybiba.com, 561.651.1371

Gavlak

This contemporary gallery focuses on the representation of women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC artists. A stable of more than 20 artists includes Marilyn Minter and Betty Tompkins.

340 Royal Poinciana Way Suite M334, gavlakgallery.com, 561.833.0583

HOLDEN LUNTZ GALLERY

Holden Luntz exists to acquire and present the work of significant photographers who are defining or expanding the parameters of photography, as well as images by such iconic pioneers as Diane Arbus, Berenice Abbott, John Baeder, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Horst P. Horst, and Robert Mapplethorpe. 332 Worth Ave., holdenluntz.com, 561.805.9550

Pace Gallery

Pace Gallery provides locals with direct access to some of the contemporary art world’s leading voices.

340 Royal Poinciana Way Suite M333, pacegallery.com, 561.444.3922

Provident Fine Art

If you are building a collection or divesting of pieces you no longer want, this gallery offers a range of helpful services. Provident Fine Art is highly regarded for its expertise in nineteenth- and twentiethcentury French and American impressionism, post-impressionism, modern, and contemporary art. 125 Worth Ave., providentfineart.com, 561.249.7929

Robert Fontaine Gallery

Representing artists in every stage of their careers, the Robert Fontaine Gallery carries Post-War works through to current expressions of digital media, conceptual installations, and urban interventionism.

256 Worth Ave., robertfontainegallery. com, 305.397.8530

Russeck Gallery

With roots in Philadelphia, Russeck Gallery now operates on Worth Avenue and specializes in paintings, sculptures, and major works on paper by twentieth-century artists, as well as paintings and sculptures of the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American West.

203 Worth Ave., russeckgalleries.com, 561.832.4811

Samuel Owen Gallery

In addition to three locations in New England, Samuel Owen Gallery resides on Royal Poinciana Way and represents contemporary artists who reflect upon the twentieth- and twenty-firstcentury zeitgeist. Its roster includes South Florida–based artists as well as Palm Beach artist Cayla Birk.

253 Royal Poinciana Way, samuelowen. com, 561.249.1876

SOTHEBY’S PALM BEACH

Sotheby’s carries an array of luxury goods, from fine art to fine jewelry and automobiles.

50 Cocoanut Row Suite S101, sothebys. com/palmbeach, 561.710.8830

Surovek Gallery

Surovek Gallery identifies “the acquisition and sale of American works of art” as its “foremost goal,” offering American paintings, drawings, watercolors, and prints from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

349 Worth Ave. 8 Via Parigi, surovekgallery.com, 561.832.0422

Taglialatella Galleries

This international gallery has become synonymous with modern and contemporary art, specializing in recent Pop and street art movements.

313 1/2 Worth Ave., taglialatellagalleries.com, 561.833.4700

West Palm Beach

THE BOX GALLERY

More than just a gallery, this 4,000-square-foot space acts as a hub for local, national, and international artists to present a variety of artworks, cultural experiences, and programs including exhibitions, lectures, and screenings.

811 Belvedere Road, theboxgallery.info, 786.521.1199

Habatat Galleries

Specializing in glass, Habatat Galleries represents world-renowned artists and offers custom services.

2401 N. Dixie Hwy., habatatgalleries. com, 561.469.8587

JF GALLERY

This contemporary art gallery nestled in the Antique Row district provides framing services and exhibits new works by nationally and internationally lauded painters and sculptors.

3901 S. Dixie Hwy., jfgallery.com, 561.478.8281

Mary Woerner Fine Arts

In addition to personal collection services such as restoration, framing, and installation, Mary Woerner sells contemporary paintings, drawings, sculptures, objects, mixed media, and graphics.

3700 S. Dixie Hwy. #7, marywoernerfinearts.com, 561.832.3233

The Peach

Local artists such as Craig McInnis create at this art collective, which often hosts open studios. The community can also visit during monthly art walks that feature live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and food from Troy’s Barbeque.

3950 Georgia Ave., thepeachwpb.com, 561.532.0900

White Cube

This seasonal art gallery occupies an industrial space and hosts exhibitions by such major artists as Gilbert & George and Theaster Gates.

2512 Florida Ave., whitecube.com, 949.981.4893

Palm Beach Gardens

CALL OF AFRICA’S NATIVE VISIONS GALLERIES

Native Visions specializes in works by internationally acclaimed environmental and wildlife artists, including David Longmead, John Seerey-Lester, Mopho Gonde, and Margaret Gradwell.

4600 PGA Blvd. Suite 105, nativevisions.com, 561.741.1600

Onessimo Fine Art

Showcasing fine art, sculpture, and contemporary glass from old and modern masters as well as established contemporary artists.

4530 PGA Blvd. Suite 101, onessimofineart.com, 561.355.8061 (more locations online)

STUDIO E GALLERY

For collectors wanting to discover a not-yet-famous talent or an internationally known artist, this is the place to browse original works in glass, bronze, mixed media, and paintings— and to learn the stories behind them.

4600 PGA Blvd. Suite 101, studioegallery.com, 561.799.3333

JUPITER/TEQUESTA

LIGHTHOUSE

ARTCENTER GALLERY & SCHOOL OF ART

Founded by a group of artists and the son of the founders of the Norton Museum of Art, the Lighthouse ArtCenter boasts a gallery that features curated exhibitions centered around works by local, national, and international artists. 373 Tequesta Drive, lighthousearts.org, 561.746.3101

MAC ART GALLERIES

MAC Art Galleries offers a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, glass, and installations, and provides personalized guidance and in-home showings to clients.

4601 Military Trail Unit 101, macfineart. com, 561.429.4829 (more locations online)

The Village Art Studios

This hidden gem has spotlighted and sold the original works of local artists for 10 years.

578 N. U.S. Hwy. 1, thevillageartists. webs.com, 561.310.8499

Lake Worth Beach

Cultural Council For Palm Beach County

The Cultural Council’s Lake Worth Beach headquarters is home to three gallery spaces (the main gallery, solo gallery, and north gallery), all dedicated to celebrating and showcasing works by Palm Beach County artists.

601 Lake Ave., palmbeachculture.com, 561.471.2901

MTN SPACE

In addition to special exhibitions, this artist-owned gallery offers curation, collection development, and art rental services.

502 Lake Ave., mtnspace.com, 561.285.4883

Steidel Contemporary

Known for sculptural objects and emerging international collections, Steidel Contemporary hosts exhibitions showcasing mixed-media makers, ceramists, and glass artists.

500 N. Dixie Hwy. Suite 305, steidelcontemporary.com, 561.283.2446

Delray Beach

Addison Gallery

In the Pineapple Grove arts district, this contemporary art gallery represents both established and emerging artists whose work the gallery describes as innovative, passionate, and uplifting.

206 N.E. 2nd St., addisongallery.com, 561.278.5700

AMANDA JAMES GALLERY

This boutique gallery is run by a husband-and-wife team of artists, James Knill and Amanda Johnson.

400 Gulfstream Blvd. #7, amandajamesgallery.com, 561.270.7832

Arts Warehouse

This arts incubator also holds exhibitions where local arts enthusiasts can discover new and exciting works by the artists who create within the warehouse and others.

313 N.E. 3rd St., artswarehouse.org, 561.330.9614

Blue

GALLERY

Across two locations on Atlantic Avenue, Blue Gallery showcases heavy hitters in the world of contemporary art.

600 E. Atlantic Ave., 616 E. Atlantic Ave., bluefineart.com, 561.265.0020, 561.562.5390

Debilzan Galleries

Artist William DeBilzan creates both paintings and sculptures featuring elongated figures, engaging textures, and a rich color palette.

38 E. Atlantic Ave., debilzan.com, 561.266.2090

FORD FINE ART

For a snapshot of the best in Latin American art, visit Ford Fine Art and view works by Mexican, South American, and Central American masters.

260 N.E. 5th Ave., fordfineart.com, 561.243.0630

The Heart Of Delray Gallery

Featuring works by more than 90 artists, including some who call Delray Beach home.

301 N.E. 2nd Ave., theheartofdelraygallery.com, 561.278.0074

JOHN SCHUYLER GALLERY

At his eponymous gallery, John Schuyler displays his ethereal abstract landscapes and paintings.

200 N.E. 2nd Ave. Suite 101, johnschuyler.com, 561.330.4615

MAGNUS & GORDON GALLERY

Established in 2013, this gallery features the work of South Florida artists Brenda Gordon and Magnus Sebastian.

354 N.E. 4th St. Unit C, magnusandgordongallery.com, 561.212.6714

Renata Fine Arts

Stop by to peruse modern and contemporary works on paper, sculptures, and paintings.

502 E. Atlantic Ave. Suite 103, renatafinearts.com, 561.385.4779

Sundook

FINE ART GALLERIES

Sundook has earned a national reputation for its vast catalogue of original paintings, fine art prints, bronze sculptures, and acrylic sculptures.

524 E. Atlantic Ave., sundook.com, 561.266.3425

Boca Raton

ROSENBAUM CONTEMPORARY

Rosenbaum Contemporary features a nationally recognized, museumcaliber exhibition program of PostWar, modern, and contemporary masters in all mediums, with works by Thomas Hartmann, Hunt Slonem, and Mira Lehr, among others.

150 Yamato Road, rosenbaumcontemporary.com, 561.994.9180 (more locations online)

SPONDER GALLERY

With a focus on Post-War, contemporary paintings, sculpture, and photography, this gallery provides support and consulting in all aspects of collecting, including appraisal services. The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, spondergallery.com, 561.241.3050

VERTU FINE ART

This established gallery boasts Pop, abstract expressionism, and optical art, as well as photography.

5250 Town Center Circle Suite 128, vertufineart.com, 561.368.4680

WENTWORTH GALLERY

With locations across the East Coast, Wentworth Gallery features works by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists. 6000 Glades Road #1089, wentworthgallery.com, 561.338.0804