Art News

7 Things To Know This Week In Art

 #1: Strange Portraits Highlight What’s Beyond the Face

“Storytellers VI” and “Split Ends” by Roos van der Vliet on Saatchi Art

For her enchanting portraits, Roos van der Vliet focuses on more than just the facial features of her subjects. The Netherlands-based artist searches for small details that connect us, urging onlookers to step outside of themselves.  As she explains:

I’m searching for women I can identify with, to decrease the feeling of anonymity and alienation. I sometimes find them on the streets, some of them are close friends already. The important thing for me is that I feel that there is a connection between us, not needing to be explained easily.

Roos’ portraits appear as precise as photos, but they extend beyond this into a more surreal realm wherein their faces are ensconced in soft hair, appearing to float. Our love for Roos’ work was echoed this week when Booooooom featured her in their Artist Spotlight series. Check out the feature here.

Explore more of Roos van der Vliet’s portraits on Saatchi Art

#2: Emerging Artist Disrupts the Street Art Standard

Artist HULA Sean Yoro brings his realist portraits to life both on his surfboard and off [Saatchi Art]

This week on Saatchi Art, we shared an intimate look at emerging artist HULA, whose work caught the eye of our Chief Curator. Formerly known as Sean Yoro, the Hawaiian-born artist paints portraits of women that purposely include an “unfinished” element, exposing what the artist intended to stress or highlight. HULA now works out of his New York studio where he paints on broken surfboard pieces and wooden panels, also traveling the world to paint murals from atop his surfboard. This process in particular has garnered him much attention, as a new means to disseminate street art.

Each of HULU’s painted faces are marked distinct from one another, a technique he says, “represent[s] the scars we get in life and how they make us unique and beautifully different.”

Learn more about HULA Sean Yoro, an artist on the rise you’ll want to keep an eye on

#3: Saatchi Art Presents a Night of Art and Design

“Surfacing,” limited edition photo by Mallory Morrison, on view at our pop up at West Elm in Los Angeles

Saatchi Art is excited to present a one night pop-up exhibition with West Elm Los Angeles, featuring new works by Saatchi Art artists. Curated by Hayley Miner, our new Director of Art Advisory to the Trade, the show celebrates Saatchi Art’s new partnership with West Elm Los Angeles, a company that offers free design services for the modern home. New works by some of L.A.’s most exciting emerging artists will be displayed amongst impeccable design selections by West Elm.

Held at West Elm’s West Hollywood location, the pop up will take place the night of September 17th from 5-8 pm PT, open to any and all who can make it. If you’re not in L.A., don’t fret. All of the works can be seen on Saatchi Art, wherever you may be.

Join Saatchi Art and West Elm and discover new works by some of Los Angeles’ most exciting emerging artists – RSVP here.

#4: The Sculptures of Pablo Picasso

“Chair Cannes” sculpture by Pablo Picasso c. 1961 [Vulture]

The sculpture of Pablo Picasso is an overlooked facet of his oeuvre, trumped by the artist’s celebrated Cubist paintings. Sculpture was an outlet that allowed the artist to explore and freely create in a way that painting didn’t always provide him. This fall marks the opening of an exciting new exhibition of Picasso’s sculptures at MoMA, New York, containing more than 100 sculptures spanning two periods and cast in wood, bronze, and more. Entitled Picasso Sculpture, the exhibition underscores the sculptural undercurrent woven throughout Picasso’s art. In his review on Vulture, art critic Jerry Saltz explains:

Picture the shapes and planes of his Cubist paintings as cut up and pieced back together as sculptures. Or traditional sculpture and objects crushed into bas reliefs, then given more dimension. That is virtually what he did.

Rarely leaving his own possession during his lifetime, the sculptures in this exhibition allow visitors an intimate glimpse at Picasso’s craft. Opening September 14th and running through February 7, 2016, Picasso Sculpture promises to be a compelling opportunity to deconstruct the artist’s creative framework.

Read Jerry Saltz’s entire review, and visit MoMA’s website to learn more about Picasso Sculpture

#5: Your Art Questions Answered on #AskACurator Day

Saatchi Art’s chief curator Rebecca Wilson answers your questions for #AskACurator day

Wednesday, September 16th is #AskACurator day on Twitter— an all-day event that gives participants the opportunity to ask curators around the world, well, anything you’d like. With the involvement of over 970 museums worldwide, this event connects art lovers with prominent curators, providing a unique chance to talk to art experts.

Our very own chief curator Rebecca Wilson is ready to tackle the questions you’ve got. Curious about investing in art, contemporary trends, working with an art advisor, or seeking artist advice? Ask away! Send your questions via Twitter, including @SaatchiArt and #AskACurator. Send now, or join us Wednesday, September 16th on Twitter from 1-2pm PDT.

Follow Saatchi Art on Twitter to ask Rebecca your burning questions about art, trends, advice, and more.

#6: Happy International Literacy Day!

“Jaidyn Reading a Book 2 – Portrait of a Young Woman,” by Karen Whitworth, part of our Art with Words collection

This past Tuesday was International Literacy Day, celebrating the importance of literacy around the world. UNESCO first proclaimed this holiday in 1965, observed by all members of the United Nations to recognize and preserve the written word. In accordance with this international celebration, we’ve got a collection of artwork featuring text-laden works.

Browse our collection of Art with Words

#7: Artwork That Documents the Hardships of Refugees

“Refugee” by Qais Al-Sindy underscores unfortunate truths associated with displacement

The plight of refugees is a struggle fraught with poverty and tribulation. Refugees endure displacement as a result of varying persecutions pressed upon them, forced to flee their home countries with little to no possessions. California-based Saatchi Art artist Qais Al Sindy considered this when creating his work “Refugee.” He used acrylic and oil to paint cardboard from a shipping box, a material that refugees often must rely on to ship what little they can transport. Additionally, photographer Tyler Jump documents what displaced people have in their bags with his photo series “What’s in my Bag?”

Learn more about what you can do to help the refugee crisis in Europe

What art happenings are you talking about this week?