#conceptartgallery

[thelaughingredhead]

Gorgeous exhibit of #VanessaGerman’s work at #ConceptArtGallery #PGH #Pittsburgh There’s an #artist talk on Saturday! (at Regent Square)

[thelaughingredhead]

Gorgeous exhibit of #VanessaGerman’s work at #ConceptArtGallery #PGH #Pittsburgh There’s an #artist talk on Saturday! (at Concept Art Gallery)

[femmesfollesnebraska]

Why I Love Women Artists...Vanessa German @ Concept Gallery, Pittsburgh

I had the awesome opportunity to interview Vanessa German for her exhibits at AIR Gallery and August Wilson Center in Pittsburgh in 2016 (which is posted here on LFF).

I continue to follow and admire her poignant artwork, writing and community and social justice work from afar via social media and in galleries when I can.

Concept Art Gallery is hosting an exhibit of her work, "Vanessa German: The Incredibly True, Sometimes Humorous, Often Horrific Adventures of a Wacky Black Girl. Or, A Visual Ritual into the Power of The Black Imagination," with a celebration from 6-8pm on Thursday, January 25th.

Here is some of my favorite work by Vanessa German, more of which can be found at https://www.conceptgallery.com/artists/german-vanessa/. Text below also from conceptgallery.com.

Vanessa German: Black Madonna Boogie Board. Mixed Media Sculptural Wall Hanging, 41 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 3 inches 

Poet, performer, photographer, and sculptor Vanessa German creates works that explore the power of transformation and healing. 

Vanessa German: Black Madonna with Beer Bottle Cap Dress. Mixed Media on Matboard, 20 x 23 1/4 inches 

She scours her Pittsburgh neighborhood searching for objects to incorporate into her art. “I surrender myself to the objects that call up to me,” she has said.

Vanessa German: The Shipment, 2013 

Her intricate mixed-media sculptures combine doll parts, antique tins, cowrie shells, household objects, and African beads. 

Vanessa German: The Derivative Negress Once Again Makes a Mockable, Public Spectacle of Her Grief, 2013 

With these three-dimensional collages German reclaims objects and words that symbolize the oppression of African Americans for generations, creating serene, if surreal, figures that call to mind religious icons, Congolese minkisi sculpture, folk art traditions, and the work of Betye Saar and Fred Wilson.

~

Send ideas and releases to [email protected]. Les Femmes Folles is a volunteer organization founded in 2011 with the mission to support and promote women in all forms, styles and levels of art from around the world with the online journal, print annuals, exhibitions and events; originally inspired by artist Wanda Ewing and her curated exhibit by the name Les Femmes Folles (Wild Women). LFF was created and is curated by Sally Deskins.  LFF Books is a micro-feminist press that publishes 1-2 books per year by the creators of Les Femmes Folles including the award-winning Intimates & Fools (Laura Madeline Wiseman, 2014) , The Hunger of the Cheeky Sisters: Ten Tales (Laura Madeline Wiseman/Lauren Rinaldi, 2015 and Mes Predices (catalog of art/writing by Marie Peter Toltz, 2017).Other titles include Les Femmes Folles: The Women 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 available on blurb.com, including art, poetry and interview excerpts from women artists. A portion of the proceeds from LFF books and products benefit the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Wanda Ewing Scholarship Fund.

https://www.facebook.com/femmesfolles/ instagram: @lesfemmesfollesart femmesfollesnebraska.tumblr.com lesfemmesfollesbooks.tumblr.com

[pgcblowbyblow]

Five Tips for Investing in Art

Jennifer and Karl Salatka are long time supporters of Pittsburgh Glass Center and always attend the Art on Fire Celebration & Auction. They have an outstanding art collection on display throughout their home including sculpture, glass, paintings, ceramics and more. They live with their art and clearly enjoy everything that they have purchased over the years.

“If one has the wherewithal to purchase beautiful and intellectually challenging collectibles, whether it be high art or crafts, buy what you truly love and rely and temper these decisions on self-attained and expert advice. Make an effort to understand the artist's aesthetic, whether this is by reading about or actually meeting the artist. And, if a consideration as to possible monetary appreciation is important, my advice would be to consider emerging artists, establish gallery relations and/or buying at auctions. Again, always buy what you love, understand, and try to establish a coherent collection,” expressed Karl Salatka.

The Salatkas have worked with Art on Fire sponsor CooksonPeirce for many years to help them manage their wealth so that they could have the privilege of investing in art.

"It's clear that emotion should drive the selection of your art. However, it should never drive your investments. Fear, greed and impatience destroy the wealth you need to purchase the art you love," said Daniel S. Henderson, President & CEO of CooksonPeirce Wealth Management.

The Salatkas also rely on the expertise of local galleries such as Concept Art Gallery to help them along the way.

“Jen and Karl are our favorite kind of collector. They truly love the artwork they purchase, and are interested in educating themselves thoroughly about each artwork they consider collecting. It’s been our sincere pleasure to watch their collection grow to the amazing trove of modern and contemporary artwork it now is,” said Alison Brand Oehler of Concept Art Gallery.

Together they have come up with a few tips for investing in art.

Buy what you like.  Don’t be too focused on how much the work will appreciate over time. Buy what makes you happy and you want to live with in your home.

Meet the artist. If possible, find out more about the artist and visit his or her studio to learn more about the process.

Buy art from emerging artists.  In addition to investing in high-end art, consider purchasing art from emerging artists. You’ll be giving their career a boost, plus the art is more affordable.

Diversify. Buy a variety of different art.

Consider buying at auctions. The pricing is very market-driven and you have access to artist’s work that is rarely offered at retail. The Art on Fire Celebration & Auction on September 25 is the perfect opportunity!

[thehodgeshow]

"I Can feel the city breathing " solo exhibition #conceptartgallery #contemporaryart #art #pittsburgh #houston "pursuit" mixed media on tar paper . 13x8. August 13th, 2015 . 6pm -8pm. @kilololuckett @oehlera