EL ANATSUI | THE SCHOOL

Over the past few years, I've come to recognize Jack Shainman as one of my favorite galleries in NYC, representing a number of my most highly revered artists, including Nick Cave, El Anatsui, Barkley L. Hendricks, Carrie Mae Weems, Kay Hassan, and others.  When Shainman opened The School, an outpost of the gallery upstate in Kinderhook, NY last year, I couldn't wait to visit.

I finally had the chance to go over the weekend, on a trip to the Catskills.  It was a beautiful late summer day, and the little town of Kinderhook was bustling.  Not only was I anxious to experience a larger, more remote Shainman Gallery, but couldn't wait to see the exhibition of works by El Anatsui, one of my favorite artists.

See my post from Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui at the Brooklyn Museum in 2013.

Upon entering The School, a giant Anatsui globus was suspended from the ceiling.  Throughout the space, there were dozens of Anatsui works; the exhibition just seemed to go on and on and there were two or three more large scale pieces around every corner.  It was interesting to note the ways in which the pieces interacted with the space, some occupying intentionally "unfinished" rooms or corridors.  There were also earlier works that I had never seen, such as the Market pieces from 2004 (the room of little boxes, pictured above).

Visiting The School was such a welcome interlude to the weekend, and it renewed my love of El Anatsui's work and the expertise of Jack Shainman.  The exhibition is open on Saturdays until September 26.

Blouse: Goldhawk, thrifted

Shorts: Banana Republic (available here)

Shoes: Belle (also worn here and here)

Photos of me by Meri Feir; other photos by me.

SHE LIKES TO PARTY

Yolanda Sanchez, She Likes to Party, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My New Year's Eve attire was inspired by this expressionist oil on canvas work by Yolanda Sanchez, aptly titled She Likes to Party.  I hope you enjoyed time with family and friends over the holiday, and wish you all the best for 2014.

Dress: Cynthia Steffe, thrifted

Tights: Uniqlo

See my Abstract Expressionist NYE outfit from 2011 here.

Photos by Lauren Ricciardi, Sanchez image via Artsy.

WATER LILIES

Claude Monet, Water Lilies (French, Paris 1840 - 1926 Giverny)

There are few more delightful ways to spend a Sunday afternoon than wandering through the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  On this particular Sunday, Monet's Water Lilies were especially beautiful as a contrast to the grey slush outside on Fifth Avenue.  According to Urban Dictionary, "Monet" can be used to describe someone who "looks good from afar, but far from good close up."  That is usually the case with my Sunday afternoon ensembles!

Coat: Free People

Sequin skirt: French Connection (thrifted)

Tights: Falke

Boots: DKNY

Sweatshirt: J. Crew

Snakeskin purse: Vintage (thrifted)

Necklace: H&M

Photo by Meri Feir.

EL ANATSUI

I am still reeling after experiencing one of the most beautiful and culturally relevant museum exhibitions I've seen in a very long time.

Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui is now on view at the Brooklyn Museum and is well worth a visit, even if you are not in New York.

El Anatsui (b. 1944) is a Ghanaian artist who is well known for his sculptural installations made using found materials such as aluminum cans, and the Brooklyn Museum exhibition boasts over 30 works.

The texture and painterly quality of the large-scale pieces is surprisingly reminiscent of Impressionism.  I was particularly reminded of Pointillism in the way that the large tapestry is made up of beautiful smaller elements that aren't necessarily salient but become noticeable upon closer inspection.  

The wall hangings are inspired by kente, a type of cloth created using an indigenous  weaving process that results in a silk/cotton blend and is native to the Ashanti and Akan people of the Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Referencing uli and nsibidi symbolism and drawing styles, Anatsui's stunning works also called to mind the tableaux of religious altarpieces, adorned with gold leaf.  However, the usage of found materials and nod to his Ghanaian heritage makes Anatsui's work more poignant than ever.

Dress: Aryn K. (very similar here, under $70)

Tights: H&M

Boots: Miista Val Tex

Handbag: Cynthia Rowley (some similar options here)

Photos of me by @kay_elle_pea and all other photos by me.

DAYTIME SEQUINS

In addition to wearing unseasonably bright colors, working party clothes into my everyday wardrobe is another way I try to keep midwinter looks fresh. This blouse is a piece I thrifted for $1 (possibly the best dollar I ever spent) and a gloomy midweek day ended up being the perfect time for its debut.

The jewel tones and glistening sequins of the blouse call to mind the work one of my favorite artists, Gustav Klimt.

An Austrian painter, Klimt (1862-1918) is widely known for his allegorical works which are influenced by ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Minoan culture. He was also inspired by Byzantine and Japanese art, all of which are evidenced in his paintings.

Klimt's work features beautifully stylized designs in coexistence with rendered forms which achieve a near otherworldly effect.

Some of Klimt's most beautiful works are portrait paintings of women. The gold Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer has been the subject of much scrutiny due to its repatriation after being looted by the Nazis during World War II (as detailed in the book and film The Rape of Europa).

Klimt's most famous prodigy was Egon Schiele (discussed here and here) and his effect is notable in many of Schiele's works.

In order to tone down the densely sequined blouse for daytime wear, I paired it with a few preppy staples like a chambray shirt and riding boots.

I'm wearing a vintage sequined blouse, thrifted men's button-down, Uniqlo jeans, Tory Burch boots, and a Lauren Merkin suede clutch. Following is a detail shot of the blouse.

Check out my dear friend Candace's lovely piece on blogging as a creative outlet.

Many thanks to Garrett for nominating me for both a Shorty Award in Fashion and Best Fashion Blog 2011 on About.com!

Also, thank you to Daphne for including me in her Stylish Fashion Blogger award.

[Klimt images from filmplus.org, ricci-art.net, toptenz.net, and normanadams.org, respectively.]