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| Greetings! |
Welcome to the February issue of John Bell's Red Dot Art communique. John has spent many late nights in the studio creating and preparing for what has been a busy and creatively productive several months. The Artist Fair at Art Basel this past December brought both gallerists and museum curators from L.A., Dallas, and Las Vegas to his booth -- "relevent and important," "exciting," "fresh", and "of the times" were some of the comments being made by these art world professionals. John was contacted in early January by the Brett Wesley Gallery in Las Vegas who saw his work in Miami and asked him to exhibit in a show entitled "Love and Power" on January 22nd.
Read on to see opening reception photos, a video interview and much more from The Pop Shops and the Brett Wesley exhibition, newly completed work FROM THE STUDIO feature as well as upcoming shows at Phillips Gallery and Bell's participation in The Salt Lake Art Center's "Not Just Another Pretty Face" program where patrons can commission work from over 70 select Utah artists.
You won't want to miss our next Red Dot where we will resume our COLLECTOR'S PROFILE because we had so much to include and update you about in this edition. Enjoy. |
| THE POP SHOPS: 1.10.09 |
After returning from Miami, John prepped to install his "Size Matters" show at The Pop Shops for the January 10th inagural opening. It was an impressive display of his work recent and past. With over 300 people in attendance it was one of the largest turn-outs we have seen. Special thanks to Valter and Justin of Cucina Toscana for their generous sponsorhip of Cucina's unmatched food, hospitality and service and to Jeff Carter of Southern Wine & Spirts West who provided a selection of wine for the evening. The show runs through February 14th.
Salt Lake Magazine online A&E editor Dan Nailen showed up to interview John and Pop Shops owner Brian Seethaler for his weekly video blog >>> SEE THE INTERVIEW NOW. Additional press mentions and features in; In Utah This Week, City Weekly, The Salt Lake Tribune and 15 bytes. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all the A&E press who wrote about The Pop Shops concept and the "Size Matters" exhibition.
The artist talking to exhibition goers about his work.
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| NEWS/SHOWS: Brett Wesley Gallery |
Another well attended opening at the Brett Wesley Gallery -- "Love and Power" exhibition on January 22nd. The Brett Wesley Gallery will represent John exclusively in the state of Nevada. His work is creating alot of buzz in the Las Vegas art market. The gallery is pursuing interested collectors in Bell's work. >>>View more of Bell's work on display.
"Love and Power" installation view.
John and gallery owner Brett Sperry in front of his most recent work entitled, "I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass; confronting facts, fears,myths and legends." Details about this piece listed in FROM THE STUDIO feature below.
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UPCOMING SHOWS: Phillips Gallery & The Salt Lake Art Center |
| "Digital Art" exhibition at Phillips Gallery; Opening Reception - Friday February 20th, 6 - 9 p.m. Bell will exhibit various prints exploring the digital medium; including his popular "Election" series and mini prints encased in acrylic boxes which are part of the MOMA's permanent design collection (pictured below) He co-exhibits in Phillips Dibble Gallery with noted virtual mixed media artist and U of U Art Professor Ed Bateman.
Salt Lake Art Center: Modeled after a dynamic program developed by the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, "Not Just Another Pretty Face" (NJAPF) encourages new and exisiting collectors of contemporary art to commission work from local aritsts. NJAPF is intended to strengthen Utah's artistic community by building personal relationships between artists and patrons, and to support the Art Center's fundraising and educational mission.
Through a series of salons, the NJAPF program will expose a group of local patrons to a selection of Utah artists in an effort to match patrons and artists interested in working together to create commissioned works (from traditonal to untraditional) culiminating in a grand unveiling Gala Event on June 6, 2009, followed by a month-long exhibition at the Art Center and accompanying brochure. Salons run twice weekly as listed below.
To particpate in a salon and to view work examples by John for commission. RSVP to Julie Sommers, Salt Lake Art Center at 801.328.4201 or julie@slartcenter.org. More info go to Salt Lake Art Center.
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FROM THE STUDIO: |
Recently completed: The 62" x 88" silkscreen, oil & acrylic,and a little skin & blood, on canvas -"I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass; confronting facts, fears, myths and legends". It is ambitious and thought provoking -- a physical manisfestation of Bell mastering his fears.
Wrapped around a punching bag, the canvas was punched with the artist's paint laden fists. The piece gives a nod to masters such as DeKooning, Pollack, Warhol & Basquit with repeated silkscreened images which become partially concealed by the fist marks and Bell's signature geometric shapes and line work.
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