Art News

7 Things To Know This Week In Art

#1: Happy Birthday, Andy Warhol!

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” –Andy Warhol [DesignBoom]

This week marks the 87th birthday of iconic pop artist Andy Warhol, whose life and work both subverted and celebrated consumerism and celebrity culture during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Prolific during his lifetime, Warhol worked across media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, silkscreening, film, sculpture, and music in his scope. He established Interview Magazine, and his famed “Factory” studio space became synonymous with the wild parties he hosted there as a mingling of creative minds and the celebrities of his day.

In today’s celebrity-obsessed culture, Warhol’s posit that “in the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes” rings true now more than ever, and his influence over successive generations of artist is evident from “selfie stick art” to contemporary takes on Pop iconography.

Discover some of the contemporary artists influenced by Warhol and the Pop Art movement.

#2: #WesAndersonArtShow

Still from The Grand Budapest Hotel (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Famous for cult movies like Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson has inspired a devoted following of film-goers and art aficionados alike.

His eccentric cast of characters, highly stylized aesthetic, nostalgic charm, and meticulous attention to detail have inspired Spoke Art Gallery to host an annual art exhibition in San Francisco called “Bad Dads.” This year, the show hits the road for a special weekend pop-up at New York City’s Joseph Gross Gallery from August 7-9, boasting works by over 70 artists who have drawn inspiration from Anderson’s various films.

If you can’t make it to New York, check out our own specially-curated Wes Anderson collection of art.

Learn more about the hallmarks of Anderson’s style.

#3: Good vs. Evil: The Art World Edition

Jeff Koons: Superhero or villain? [Senatus]

Summertime means the movie box office is slated with the latest superhero blockbusters, dividing the world into Good and Evil. This trope extends beyond the big screen to the real life world of art this week, as Artspace divvies up icons of the art world into a list of “Heroes” and “Villains.” As they put it,

After all, artists are nothing if not regular people with supranormal abilities, tussling it out on a global battlefield to see who will control the fate of art history—not to mention the world’s supply of disposable mogul income.

Who made the cut? According to their breakdown, Banksy, Takashi Murakami, and Cindy Sherman sit among the virtuous pack whose artistic endeavors display good intentions, while Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Yves Klein and more have let their antics and ego get the best of them, pushing them into the villainous ranks. We’re just the messenger.

See the entire breakdown of art world superheroes and villians on Artspace

#4: Ilona Szalay’s Latest Works Explore Tensions In Human Impulses

“Injury” by Ilona Szalay, part of her solo show “Witness,” on view through August 31st

Italy-based artist Ilona Szalay‘s stunning paint-on-glass works have long been on our radar at Saatchi Art—last year our Chief Curator Rebecca Wilson hand-selected Ilona as an “Art to Invest in Now.”

Ilona’s latest paintings currently on view at Arusha Gallery in Edinburg for a solo exhibition through the end of August. The exhibition, entitled “Witness,” will display new works exploring the tensions in a world of conflict, hierarchy, and power play.

According to the gallery’s press release:

Ilona seeks to investigate the tension between protection and control in her work and as a result there is an ambivalence in the images, a questioning of motive/morality, and an examination into our impulses to both create and destroy.

Learn more about “Witness,” open now.

Be sure to check out Ilona’s work available on Saatchi Art.

#5: Two Photos Become One Delightfully Surreal Image

Images from “Combophotos” by Stephen McMennamy [Booooooom]

Artist Stephen McMennamy‘s Instagram feed is pure delight. The Atlanta-based photographer has gained a devoted audience for his “Combophotos,” which he creates by combining two images into one Surrealist juxtaposition. The combinations feel seamless, and we love them all.

Which are your favorite artists of Instagram? Follow us here to keep up with some of ours.

#6: East Meets West in Jieun Park’s Gestural Cityscapes

“Encounters: Singapore” by Jieun Park

Seoul-based artist Jieun Park is the subject of a new solo exhibition entitled “Encounters” on view at Singapore’s Redsea Gallery through August 16th.

The show includes her signature paintings travel-inspired paintings that combine traditional methods of Chinese ink calligraphy with Western expressive style. Named an “Artist to Watch” on Saatchi Art, Jieun seemingly captures the vibe of a city in the stroke of a brush.

Click here for more information about the show.

Read our profile on Jieun and visit her Saatchi Art portfolio to see more of her works.

#7: Greycroft Partners Take Their Downtown L.A. Offices to the Next Level with Art

Paintings by Saatchi Art’s Jenny Hager grace the walls of Greycroft’s new space (Photo: Christopher Patey)

Venture capital firm Greycroft Partners has just debuted its enviable new office space on MyDomain, and the results of their recent design overhaul are stunning. Located in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles, it’s no surprise they sought to include the work of local artists in their space.

For help, they turned to Saatchi Art’s Art Advisory team to find the perfect works by local artists.

As Allison Beck of Greycroft explained:

We wanted the vibe for our office to be eclectic in style, and given our relocation to the Arts District, a key aspect to our design was to be able to showcase the works of local artists. Displaying works from Saatchi Art—a company Greycroft had formally invested in before it was acquired by Demand Media—gives the office a home-like feel, adding unique color and texture to the lofty space.

The Greycroft office hosts the work of Jenny Hager, Charlotte Patterson, Kris Tamburello, and more. Tour the space on MyDomain to see all the featured artists.

Check out our tips on how to spruce up your office with art.

Need help selecting works for your own office? Our curators can help, free of charge. Learn more. 

Follow Saatchi Art on Facebook and Instagram for more eye-catching works of art around the world.