NEW YORK—Volta NY describes itself as “an invitational solo project fair for contemporary art.” The fact that a critical lens is applied to who is eligible to participate is a defining characteristic of the event. The artists who show at Volta may be emerging in the larger art world, but they have achieved some amount of recognition, perhaps in their region or particular area of practice. The majority of the work is thoughtful and demonstrates real artistic talent and vision.
Each booth at Volta is generally dedicated to one artist or project and it is the rare fair where you can usually meet the artist who is eager to explain his or her work. If the artist isn’t present, their passionately dedicated and informed dealer is often just as engaging.
This year, there are a number of standouts, 13 are noted here, including conceptual artist Willie Cole; John Cox of Nassau, who is presenting a series created with inner tubes; Yooah Park, whose practice explores a range of mediums; Jin Joo Chae, who is showing a series of mixed-media works on North Korean newspapers; and Brooklyn-based Jeffrey Gibson is showing a trio of his embellished Everlast boxing bags.
All photos © Arts Observer
JEFFREY GIBSON: Installation view, center, “Homma,” 2013 (Found canvas punching bag, recycled wool blanket, artistʼs own repurposed painting, glass beads, steel and brass studs, tin jingles, nylon fringe, artificial sinew) and at right, “Both Hands,” 2014 (found canvas punching bag, recycled wool blanket, artistʼs own repurposed painting, glass beads, artificial sinew, tin jingles, nylon fringe), all three by Jeffrey Gibson at Marc Straus of New York.
WILMER WILSON IV: Installation view of the remnants of “From My Paper Bag Colored Heart,” 2012, a performance work by Wilmer Wilson IV at ConnerSmith of Washington, D.C.
ANNA NAVASARDIAN: From left, “Pioneers” and “Rope II,” both 2013 (acrylic on canvas) by Anna Navasardian at Galerie Andreas Binder of Munich.
ANNA NAVASARDIAN: Detail of “Child,” 2013 (acrylic on canvas) by Anna Navasardian at Galerie Andreas Binder of Munich.
JOHN COX: The artist, shown at left, discusses his installation “Black Flowers,” which is composed of inner tubes, at the booth of Popopstudios ICVA of Nassau, Bahamas.
JOHN COX: Detail of “Black Flowers,” 2014 (inner tubes) by John Cox.
LOUISE HINDSGAVL: Installation view of works from a series exploring part human, part animal mutants composed of porcelain, metal and wire by Louise Hindsgavl at Galleri Christoffer Egelund of Copenhagen.
DAN COOMBS: Installation view of a recent body of work titled “Woman,” oil on canvas paintings by Dan Coombs at New Art Projects of London at Booth 1.20.
WILLIE COLE: The Birmingham, Ala.-based Beta Pictoris Gallery booth dedicated to the work of accomplished African American conceptual artist Willie Cole was popular on Saturday.
YOOAH PARK: Ink portrait by Yooah Park at Opsis Art of Seoul.
YOOAH PARK: Detail of a portrait of a couple executed using a traditional grounded mineral pigment by Yooah Park at Opsis Art of Seoul.
The above work on canvas is part of a series of portraits in which Park explores relationships. The subjects faces are ghosted out because those closest to us often know us the least. Watch of video of her performance art here.
ELISABETH SONNECK: Site-specific installation by Elisabeth Sonneck at Brunnhofer Gallery of Linz, Austria.
Sonneck’s freehand-painted striations are executed using a brush without any aids such as a rule or taping off and can be created for installation on a specific wall or framed.
DAWN BLACK: Detail of “Conceal Project (Grid 2),” 2014 (ink, gouache and watercolor on paper) by Dawn Black at Cynthia Reeves Gallery of New York.
DAWN BLACK: Installation view of “Conceal Project (Grid 2),” 2014
ROBERT CHAMBERLIN: “Empty Vessels,” 2013 (porcelain, various sizes) by Robert Chamberlin at Miller Yezerski Gallery of Boston.
ROBERT LARSON: Installation view, at left, “Red Testallation,” 2013 (discared cigarette and cigar packaging on linen) both by Robert Larson at CES Contemporary of Los Angeles.
JIN JOO CHAE: From left, “Choco Pie with Capitalist Cream (Milk Chocolate),” (milk chocolate and chocolate syrup on North Korean newspaper); “Choco Pie with Communist Cream (Semi-Sweet Chocolate),” (semi-sweet chocolate and chocolate syrup on North Korean newspaper); and “Choco Pie with Marshmallow Cream (Bittersweet Chocolate),” (bittersweet chocolate and chocolate syrup on North Korean newspaper) all 2014 by Jin Joo Chae at Julie Meneret Contemporary Art in New York.
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