People in the News |

Aug 25 2014

Matt Sesow tags Access Gallery

It was last Friday, I planned to meet friends for…whatever, maybe it was the movie, “Land Ho.” (I think it was). As is the case with most Facebookers, I had a minute. I opened my laptop and saw an invitation from the artist Matt Sesow at Access Gallery. I thought why not? It’s less than five minutes from my house. It was 5 ish, and before 6:00 p.m. it’s possible to find a parking spot on, or close to Santa Fe Drive. I jumped in the car, found a parking spot, walked a couple of blocks in the rain and, was happy to meet Matt Sesow and his delightfully, colorful, profound, politically correct/incorrect art. The politics are irrelevant. His art is refreshing, exciting, hip, well executed and, this guy is making a name for himself in the bizarre, continually growing street art genre.

In the footsteps of Banksy, Haring, Fairey, Basquiat and Scharf, Sesow creates a style that comes closest to fine art graffiti. He doesn’t tag buildings, trash dumpsters or, fences. He tacks a canvas to his studio wall, many as large as 6 ft. x 6 ft., and paints. When he is done he rolls up the painting, treks to his openings in Washington, D.C., London, New York. It’s kind of nice, galleries do not have to ‘hang’ his shows. The acrylic paintings, when he arrives, are simply unrolled then tacked to the gallery walls and viola, he’s in business.

Matt paints in his studio in D.C. where his art career has gained momentum by utilizing a wacky take on social issues. With great joy he doesn’t avoid politics nor issues which keep the rest of us irritated and awake at night. Instead of spewing hatred and making a stand on Facebook he draws on his creativity and humor to express a political view on news worthy absurdities. With tons of B.S. at his fingertips he delights in poking fun at politics through his art. He was recently commissioned to create a stamp for the United Nations and travels frequently to Europe where his art has created an international following.

“Access Denied,” show runs through September 13th at the Access Gallery.

“Border Crossing,” by Matt Sesow. Painted during his stay in Denver.

Access Gallery + Studio is located at 909 Santa Fe Drive. www.accessgallery.org

May 26 2014

EPIC Gala at RedLine

Redline Gallery/Art Center/Cultural Center is all of that and more. There’s a community going on there. It’s where artists (professional, students, the homeless) meet and do what comes naturally to them, create their art. The space is open and inviting with wonderful, contemporary and oftentimes edgy art. Always spectacular pieces that evoke wonder, discussion, beauty, curiosity and contemplative thoughts about the world of art.

It opened in 2008, as more than a simple art gallery. Laura Merage, artist, is the founder of RedLine. The non-profit contemporary art oasis contributes and supports Denver art education within an inspired center for artists and art lovers alike. Last Thursday night the celebration was focused on Laura Merage and her supporters such as Vicki & Harry Sterling, Mickey Zeppelin, Mary Louise Lee, Patricia Barela Rivera, Ed Romero, Vivian Le Courtois, Helen Thorpe, Theresa Anderson, Dillon Scholinski, Kelly Carswell, Bill Havu, Jayne Buck, Greg Carpenter, Afsy Levy, Joanne Davidson, Justin Beard, Julie Lizak.

: Performance by Wonderbound.

: Mary Louise Lee & Patricia Barela Rivera

: Justin Beard, Julie Lizak

: Timothy Collins, Bill Havu

: Theresa Anderson, Dillon Scholinski, Kelly Carswell

: David Merage, Helen Thorpe

: Harry & Vicki Sterling, Mickey Zeppelin, Susan Wick

: Robin Gallite, Laura Merage

This night RedLine was transformed into a wonderland of colors, shapes, shadows, light shows, drinks and food. The crowd was so happy to be together it took several pleas for everyone to sit at their tables ‘so the program could get underway.’ No one paid much attention. It was too much fun talking and sharing their input for Laura Merage and her dedicated, driving force behind RedLine. Her simple mission of improving the world has been met.

Located in Five Points, RedLine is an innovative, mixed-use arts space that combines an artist residency program with project-based community engagement in the arts.

Tagged Bill Havu, Denver Arts, Five Points, Helen Thorpe, Joanne Davidson, Mary Louise Lee, Redline, Theresa Anderson

Jul 23 2012

Art collector, Herbert Vogel dies.

This is a sad day for contemporary artists. Herbert Vogel, 1922-2012, has left the gallery for good.

Herbert & Dorothy Vogel were unsurpassed lovers of art. From the 1960’s, this dynamic duo opened their hearts and pocketbooks to purchase little known artist’s work, such as Chuck Close and Ty Twombly, Donald Judd, Edward Ruscha, Julian Schnabel, John Baldessari and Jeff Koons. They became revered in the art world, but remained an unlikely, nondescript couple who made an invaluable contribution to art and, to the American people. Often paying for art on the payment plan Herbert and Dorothy Vogel created an unsurpassed collection that is now on view for every one to enjoy. Their story is incredible. They were true American heroes.

The Vogel Collection is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Read about this incredible couple from The Washington Post. http://wapo.st/Qfafyo

Their story is the stuff of movies….look for the documentary film, “Herb & Dorothy,” from Arthouse

Films,released, 2009.