While wandering around on a Saturday in Chelsea, I came across some amazing shows and some great buys.

Nam June Paik, Enlightenment Compressed, 1994 (Courtesy James Cohan Gallery)

Shows to see are Nam June Paik at James Cohan Gallery.

Jacqueline Humphries, Installation View

Jacqueline Humphries at Greene Naftali.

William Powhida, Acquisitions, 2009, pencil on paper

William Powhida at Schroeder Romero.

Hernan Bas at Lehmann Maupin (Chrystie Street location).

Ruben Ochoa, Installation view Peter Blum

Ruben Ochoa at Peter Blum (now closed).

Simon Evans, The Wiff of Actors, 2005, Ink, whiteour and paper collage on card
11.675 x 16.375 inches

I also stumbled upon a benefit art sale for Steep Rock Arts with wonderful works by Simon Evans and a unique collage by Ruth Root for only $1000.

The IPCNY (International Print Center New York) has a show of prints selected by Polly Apfelbaum. There were many works I loved:

Baldridge, Double Dilly, 2008, intaglio and woodcut, ed. 30

$650 framed print by Glen Baldridge whose work I had been interested in about 6 months ago.

Ann Hamilton whose prints ($950 unframed) I had seen at the Gemini Gel opening I wrote about in an earlier blog.

Shinique Smith 2008, Purple Pansy, screenprint, archival inkjet, and collage, 30.25” x 22.5” image and sheet, edition of 10

A Shinique Smith (I have written about a studio visit I had with her) print that is a bargain for $2000 framed. She is an artist who is going places.

Affordable Art Fair

Artist Greg Haberny

The AAF has been a bit of a disappointment the past couple of years and this year the majority of work on view was not very good. That being said, one artist’s work stood out and left a lasting impression on me. In fact, I even bought his work. Affordable and yet not derivative, it has two of my favorite qualities in art. Greg Haberny is a bitter man speaking out against materialism and capitalism in his work. He told me that most people miss the hidden meaning in his art. He is represented by Mccaig-Welles Gallery in Brooklyn, POW has shown his work in London. POW also shows the infamous graffiti artist Banksy’s work and Greg told me he is currently working on a project with Banksy. Greg uses popular imagery as well as text to shock and make powerful statements, but there is also something beautiful in its ruggedness and beaten up look. He is an artist to buy now while the getting is good. His work is really accessible price-wise. You can see examples of his art and learn more about him on his website: www.suckerchump.com.