Art News: When the Curator Breaks the Rules

The curators' guidelines for barebrush suggest 1 or 2 pieces, max, per artist, but guest curator, Bart de Koning Gans, felt strongly about consistency of language and its variety between artists. June 2008 emphasizes the clarity of the Bart's vision. This N*des-of-the-Month calendar is very subtle. It is effective and professional. It presents the artists who are included in the setting and context, as worthy of professional representation.

Only ten of the 54 artists world-wide who entered work got into the calendar. "I'm sure it's a disappointment to a lot of artists," said barebrush CEO Ilene Skeen. "I have a lot of great art on the site, but the program of using a different guest curator each month means that we imitate real-world conditions. It's important for the curators to be happy with the calendar they produce -- that their show truly represents their concept of art of the nude if they were to show it at their gallery."

Note from the Curator:

Curating for Barebrush was a great experience. Though I struggled with the rules
a bit, I feel strongly about the images I put forth. June comes across as
consistent and shows my interest in line and the development of language. I feel
each artist has taken the nude and appropriated it to make it their own rather
than just a display of a model.

The artists represented for June 2008 are: Donna Cleary*, Donelli J. DiMaria, Guenter Knop*, Serge Lis*, Jean Marcellino*, Joseph Mayes, Jacqui Morgan*, Jon Reddich, Ilene Skeen, Tim Woodhouse.

"I am somewhat embarrassed that my work is included, but that was apparently part of Bart's vision as well," said Ms. Skeen.

Commenting on the fact that only nine artists were included, gallery owner, Chris Henry smiled and shrugged, 'That's the business. You find a few artists you like and you push it."

Bart made it clear that it wasn't business considerations that informed his choices, but artistic sensibilities. No matter, the effect for the artists was the same. Those whose work did not fit with the curator's vision were excluded -- but that it true for every calendar...real-world conditions.

Bart wrote later that he apologizes "for breaking the rules, but this is [my] way of curating and when an artist sends out their work out to be criticized and chosen by a curator this is what can happen."

Each of the artists selected for the calendar receives two (2) complimentary listings. Five artists, indicated by asterisks (*), are nominated for the Curators Choice Awards. Each nominee receives 8 additional complimentary listings and is in the running for cash prizes as well. YOU CAN VOTE NOW. Winners announced July 1st.

The calendar is in previews now (for members only) , and will go live to the public on June 1.

Barebrush.com, dedicated to the art of the nude

Comments welcome

Link to Eworldwire national press release

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Barebrush Artist, Donelli J. DiMaria, Video Demonstration

Here is a note I received from a barebrush artist in New Mexico about two videos he has on youtube demonstrating the Reilly method of drawing. He also has some painting demos and slide shows of his work. Enjoy!


Ilene,

You may want to share this with the barebrush members or add a link to the site www.youtube.com/DJDiMaria where I have posted two video demos of the "quick draw" technique of Frank Reilly (Art Students League, NYC:1935-1965). I made these video demos for a workshop I recently taught in Albuquerque, NM. Both are "nude female" charcoal studies (front and back poses) from life with each done in less than 5 minutes with narration. Reilly died in 1965 but educated several generations of artists and illustrators including James Bama, Clark Hulings, Ted Seth Jacobs, Doug Higgins, etc.. I studied under one of his students (Cesar Borgia- now deceased) at the "Reilly League of Artists" in White Plains NY for about 14 years prior to moving to Santa Fe, NM seven years ago. Your NYC members may find this interesting from both a historical and educational point of view.

Thanks,

Donelli (Dan) J. DiMaria



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Barebrush Artist, Jacqui Morgan, Solo Show

Society of Illustrators

128 East 63rd Street

New York, NY 10012

tel. 212 838 2650

http://www.societyillustrators.org/

Members Gallery, 3rd Fl.

JACQUI MORGAN'S JOURNEY

May 13-May 30, 2008

Artist's reception

May 20, 2008 6-8pm

Gallery hours

Tues 10-8

Wed - Fri 10-6

Note: Anyone in the NY metropolitan area is strongly encouraged to see this show. Jacqui's work in person is visually stunning -- the computer seldom does her justice. Jacqui is a true master. I hope to see you there!



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Remembering Aviva -- Small Show at ASL

There is a small show in the cafe of the Art Students League (215 W 57th St, NYC) remembering Aviva Stone, our beloved model who died last year. Here you can see the various inspirations of Aviva -- some nude, some clothed. Aviva was always proud, and always consumately Aviva.

There were so many offerings, that the League will do another show in June as well.

Two barebrush artists have work of Aviva hanging now: Donald Bailey and Geoffrey Gneuhs.

Memorial


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New Law in Indiana Ups Price of Free Speech

Indianapolis, IN -- A new law taking effect this summer would restrict the sale of sexually explicit materials without a permit and fee. The law is designed to target porn shops, but will affect art dealers, regular bookstores and museums (and artists?).

The apparent problem is that the law does not define what is sexually explicit. The real problem is that the case is an attack on freedom of speech, but is being fought on the basis of "that can't be me, it's the other guy."

Art dealers and museums think this means that they won't be able to sell books which depict art of the nude. The Indianapolis art community is working with the ACLU to get an exemption, similar to those already granted doctors and schools.

Most unfortunate, if the art dealers and museums get their way and the law is revised to exempt them, the persecuted minority (who have to register and pay the fee) will include porn shops perhaps artists. Are we ready for that one?

Perhaps then only "approved" art will be certified saleable. PASSED BY THE CENSOR! will be the new stamp on the book cover or back of the artwork.

In my opinion, this will not stop art of the nude, it will just drive it underground or (regarding the current law in Indiana) across state lines to a more accommodating venue.

Here is the article from WISH-TV

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Indian Artist Acquited -- Court Condems the "New Puritanism"

Source: Hindustan Times

Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, May 08, 2008

The art community of India had cause for celebration Thursday as the Indian High Court of Delhi ruled in favor of 93-year-old eminent painter MF Husain.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said the allegations against the artist are baseless.

"A painter has his own perspective of looking at things and it cannot be the basis of initiating criminal proceedings against him," Kaul said in his 74-page judgement.

"In India, new puritanism is being carried out in the name of cultural purity and a host of ignorant people are vandalizing art and pushing us towards a pre-renaissance era," he observed.

The court said the question of obscenity was nowhere to be seen in his paintings, as it was his perspective of looking at things and one should not challenge that.

The court ended the judgement on the note that, "A painter at 90 deserves to be sitting in his home and painting his canvas."

Complete Hindustani Times Story



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Barebrush Artist, Trisha Lambi, Solo Show

Trisha Lambi

BODY OF LIGHT

Opens 23 May at 6pm Runs to 5 June 2008






bsg
322 Brunswick St. Fitzroy, Opp Bar Open
Hours Wed-Thu 12-4pm, Fri-Sun 11-6pm
P: 0419 390 478 mark@brunswickstreetgallery.com.au
www.brunswickstreetgallery.com.au



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Art News: Call for Entries -- June N*des-of-the-Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUMMARY: BAREBRUSH.com invites all visual artists to submit art of the nude for the June 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar contest. Prizes. Deadline May 23, 2008.

New York, NY – May 5, 2008. BAREBRUSH.com invites all visual artists to submit art of the nude for the June 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar contest. Prizes. Deadline Friday, May 23, 2008.

Ilene Skeen, founder and CEO of barebrush, is pleased to announce Bart de Koning Gans, director of the Christopher Henry Gallery of New York City as guest curator.

The Christopher Henry Gallery showcases emerging and mid-career art with the singular mission to promote a higher standard in the contemporary art community. In 2006, gallery founder and director Christopher Henry curated the third barebrush virtual exhibition (November 2006), an early endorsement of the barebrush concept. Now after 18 months, barebrush returns, passing the baton to gallery director Bart de Koning Gans, a natural development. "I am very pleased and proud to have the Christopher Henry Gallery participate in barebrush once again," says barebrush CEO Ilene Skeen. "Chris was involved early on and Bart's interest in the project is no less welcome."

When asked what he would be looking for in the June show, Bart wrote:

I look for strong line work, concept of space and composition. Material is irrelevant, it is the final product that matters

Further details (link)


Contact:
Ilene Skeen
ILS Designs, LLC
372 Fifth Avenue, Suite 7D
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 917-806-7992
Email: iskeen@BAREBRUSH.com
Website: www.BAREBRUSH.com
dedicated to the art of the nude

Link to PDF

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N*de of the Month -- A Dublin Art Story

"The Women of Dublin" by Roger Cummiskey of Ireland and Spain Takes N*de-of-the-Month Top Honor

New York - barebrush.com announces the N*de of the Month, April 2008. The winning oil painting, The Women of Dublin is by Roger Cummiskey of Ireland and Spain, and, in his words, "suggests the brothel run by Bella Cohen in the red light district of Dublin in 1904 where Stephen Dedalus broke the light shade and Leopold Bloom was asked for ten shillings by way of compensation." The painting will grace the front page of the barebrush website until the end of May.

The April 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar was curated by Michel Allen, director of the Allen Gallery, NYC. Michel also selected the nominees for the Curators' Choice Awards. All previous barebrush curators were sent ballots to rank the selections. The poll opened for public voting on the nominees April 1st and closed April 30th. The winners were determined by a statistical combination of the curators and popular vote. All nominees receive complementary listings. First, second and third place are also awarded cash prizes. The results are below:


1st: The Women of Dublin by Roger Cummiskey


...[more]



2nd: Having been stained by Jennifer Mazza


...[more]





3rd: Abstract Nude by Emily Rich


...[more]




Honorable Mention: Contortionist by Charmaine Frost


...[more]




Honorable Mention: Nude 10a by Suhas Tavkar


...[more]





Congratulations All!

To see the April 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar and further details, click here.

To see the archives and all the barebrush curators, click here



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Art News: May N*de Calendar Announced

via MMD Newswire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY – May 1, 2008 – Barebrush.com, announces the opening of the May Nudes-of-the-Month art calendar exhibition. Five art works on the May calendar vie for recognition as of Nude-of-the-Month and prizes.

Guest curator, artist Robert W. Pillsbury selected thirty one artists from among the 48 who entered. Bob reviewed a record 541 pieces, looking at everything. "I like to do a deep dive," he said. "Everything needs to be looked at."

Bob consistently opted for the riskier, edgier pieces and made a lot of comments about the art. His comments are published on the website in the May 2008 Nudes-of-the-Month calendar.

The artists are: Ruth Butler, Donna Cleary, Donelli J. DiMaria*, Mollie Kellogg, Guenter Knop, Francien Krieg*, Kasper Holten, Trisha Lambi, Serge Lis, John Luce Lockett, Lucinda Luvaas, Jean Marcellino*, Joseph Mays, Jen Mazza*, Dan McCormack, Jacqui Morgan, David Moreschi, Frank Olesen, Kathy Ostman-Magneusen, Mercadoocasio, Richard Rabkin, Jon Reddich*, Chanit Roston, Charles Schindler, Ilene Skeen, Sara Swan, Suhas Tavkar, Randy Thurman, Haydee Torres, Judy Volkmann, Tim Woodhouse. Asterisks indicate the artist is a Curators’ Choice Award nominee.

MMDS Newswire Link

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