Date: Fri 30-Oct-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

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Boston International Fine Art Show

By Bob Jackman

BOSTON, MASS. -- From September 24 to 27, eastern New England art enthusiasts

were treated to the second Boston International Fine Art Show, a strikingly

attractive show at the Cyclorama Building. Prestigious galleries exhibited

works that spanned the major movements in Western art since 1400. A canvassing

of exhibitors at the close of the show indicated that the show was also a

business success.

The historic Cyclorama Building was an ideal new site for the show. Auctioneer

James Bakker commented, "The building lends itself to a better arrangement and

flow. It is a very attractive presentation." The promoter's floor plan ideally

utilized the shape of the building to create alcoves of a half dozen booths,

which encouraged shoppers to browse and linger. The ample use of gardens,

plants, and benches further supported a warm, comfortable setting.

At the preview party, Winchester, Mass., art consultant Sunne Savage offered

an insightful comparison between the art at this show versus the inaugural

show. Sunne stated, "The contemporary works in this year's show are a step up

overall from those in last year's show. It's a stronger show overall." Over

the weekend most exhibitors and visitors developed similar assessments.

Promoters Jackie Sideli and Tony Fusco added several national prominent

contemporary art dealers. The DC Moore Gallery of New York presented many

important American artists whose work is infrequently offered in Boston,

including John Marin, Jack Levine, Edward Hopper, and Jacob Lawrence. The

Pastorelli-Kippax Gallery of Chicago offered works by Medard Klein, including

one painting with the matching hooked rug that initially was sold with it.

The Pentimenti Gallery of Philadelphia offered a Swiss perspective on

contemporary art. The half dozen featured artists each explored new techniques

for working media to achieve original effects. Artists working in alternative

media were also presented by the Alpha Gallery. During seven years of

exploration, Hiro Yokose has developed a technique of painting with oil and

wax on linen. The resulting suggestive landscapes glow with luminous

atmospheres.

Some contemporary galleries invited artists to join the exhibition. Paper pulp

artist Stephen Gatter spent one afternoon at the booth of Sitta Fine Art.

Visitors who chatted with Gatter had a remarkable opportunity to learn of his

technological and artistic innovations in the pulp media over the past 15

years. Exhibited works demonstrate the media's suitability for effecting an

Impressionistic mood.

Sales reports were encouraging but tempered. Joseph Caldwell commented, "We

expect clients to weigh their selections. Last year we had excellent sales in

the weeks following the show. We expect the same could happen this year."

Louis Salerno of the Questroyal Gallery reported, "It's been a good show.

We've had a few sales and a couple of sales are pending. There's been very

good interest from the public."

Several new exhibitors reported excellent sales. Melissa Williams of Columbia,

Mo., reported, "It's been a fantastic show. I've sold seven paintings, and

there's another sale pending. I brought most of the New England works that I

had, and other works as well." Other distant exhibitors also exhibited works

with New England origins. The result was that New England art was widely

exhibited while some art from other areas was sparsely shown.

Another new exhibitor was the Verne Collection of Cleveland, which exclusively

handles works by contemporary American artists living in Japan. Michael Verne

commented, "The first two days were very quiet. Yesterday was crazy and today

has been very busy also. From experience, when doing the first year of a show

we expect to build contacts, but we expect few sales. This has been a

spectacular surprise."

Other exhibitors of Asian art included the Tobai International of Chicago, Art

of Japan based in Mountain View, Calif., and Douglas Frazer Fine Art of

Medina, Wash.

Vintage photographic images were offered by the See Gallery, N.Y.; Robert

Klein Gallery, Boston; and the Lee Gallery, Winchester, Mass. Mack Lee

commented, "In terms of sales, it's been an average show. Not a great one, but

not a bad one."

Robert Klein reported sales were more quiet than last year. He added, "The

great weather has been a factor. Then Christopher Mills wrote a malicious,

unresearched review of the show before it ever opened." Another factor he

might have cited was that the Boston Symphony attracted 70,000 visitors to

Boston Common for a free concert on Sunday.

Press coverage remains a major obstacle for cultural events in Boston. The six

daily suburban newspapers do not cover Boston events. Of the two urban

newspapers, the Herald reviewed the show but the Globe did not.

Audrey Hall of Dixon-Hall Fine Art of Malvern, Penn., was one of many

exhibitors who spoke well of the show. She reported, "It was a very nice show

with great organization and production. The promoters were terrific, and they

handled the space very nicely." Robert Fishko of the Forum Gallery added,

"It's been a very good opportunity to meet interesting people. I'm sure we'll

come back again."

The show presented an excellent opportunity to study art, but eastern New

England visitors are still learning techniques for eliciting tutorial

assistance. In addition to museum quality artwork, the exhibitors were experts

on those artists. While some shoppers strolled silently from booth to booth,

others such as Bill and Heide Sandberg of Cape Elizabeth, Me., engaged

exhibitors in conversation. For them, the skill of seeking assistance opened

worlds of specialized knowledge.

The show was also an opportunity to speak with legendary dealers such as Alan

Fink and Gil Einstein, whose careers have been central to the development of

the contemporary art market in America.