Tag: vintage

Isca Greenfield-Sanders at Miles McEnery Gallery

Isca Greenfield-Sanders’ landscape paintings at Miles McEnery Gallery point out the filters through which we see scenery; here, a pinkish cast to this beach scene recalls aged film, but the artist’s paintings also suggest layers of time and distance. Painting from found vintage photographs of places she’s never been, Greenfield-Sanders singles out scenes that have a familiarity that many in her audience will recognize from their own experience.  After making several versions of an image, tinkering with placement of details and doing preparatory watercolors, Greenfield-Sanders creates a final version of the painting which embodies the transitory, ‘captured’ images of a photo in the more labor-intensive medium of painting.  (On view in Chelsea through July 23rd).

Isca Greenfield-Sanders, Silver Beach, mixed media oil on canvas, 51 x 51 inches, 2022.

Play: American Game Boards, 1880-1940 at Ricco/Maresca

Are vintage game boards art?  Ricco/Maresca’s current exhibition of American game boards from the late 19th century to 1940 aims to show that the boards are more than functional objects and are in fact ‘cousins of modern art.’  Having dealt in the boards for years but never dedicated a show to them, the gallery is now exhibiting parcheesi, backgammon, halma, checkers, Chinese checkers, mills, and solitaire boards that resemble mystical diagrams or architectural renderings.  This well-used checkers board comes alive with a combination of color and geometry that will keep the eyes moving along with the game pieces.  (On view through May 1st.  Masks and social distancing required).

American Unidentified, 5-color Checkers Game Board, enamel paint on wood, 18 x 18 inches, late 19th century.

Jana Paleckova at Edward Thorp Gallery

Self-taught Czech artist Jana Paleckova’s endlessly inventive paintings on original vintage photos reimagine the past in humorous and surreal ways.  The apparent awkwardness of these boys and their wary-looking adult takes on new meaning, given the gormless looking cyclops in their ranks. (On view through August 3rd at Edward Thorp Gallery in Chelsea).

Jana Paleckova, untitled (man, boys and furry cyclops,) oil paint on vintage photograph, 7h x 9w inches, 2017.

I Do, I Do at Ricco Maresca Gallery

A display of one hundred wedding photos from various photo studios in Wisconsin in the late 1800s at Ricco Maresca Gallery is a fascinating look into past dress and conventions. While most couples stare stoically ahead, betraying no hint of happiness, this groom and bride – decked out in abundant flowers – charm with their hesitant smiles. (On view in Chelsea through Sept 19th).

One of a collection of 100 unique vintage gelatin silver and albumen cabinet cards, all from various towns and cities in Wisconsin, approx. 6 x 4.5 inches, ca 1875 – 1895.

Isca Greenfield-Sanders at Ameringer McEnergy Yohe

Vintage color slides are the basis for Isca Greenfield-Sanders’ light infused beach scenes. Impossibly bright, they document a day by the water and suggest sunny memories. (At Ameringer McEnery Yohe in Chelsea through July 1st).

Isca Greenfield-Sanders, Beach (Detail), mixed media oil on canvas, 63 x 63 inches, 2107.