In its sixth year Art Hamptons was a rousing success with over 14,000 viewers taking in sumptuous works at the 78 galleries from 11 countries held at Nova’s Ark in Bridgehampton.
Rick Friedman Executive Director and Founder of Art Hamptons stated, “We had the perfect mix of art and activities that offered both the art buyer and those seeking a fun day something to enjoy. ArtPolo, Tesla test drives, the 35th anniversary Hamptons Magazine Party, and the fun Hamptons Tea Dance sponsored by the Empire State Pride Agenda provided something unique each day.”
Sales were also robust with most prices ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
One of the great things about the art fair is the chance to speak with gallery owners and the artists themselves to learn more about their images and artistic process.
Margo Selski “Defined By Hair”
I was inextricably drawn to the surreal, dark fairy tale like images of Margo Selski. I was both eager and fearful to jump into the mythical world she creates. I had the chance to talk with her and hear her process on these beautiful but haunting paintings.
“I have a very ornate cast of characters: queens, young girls, flora and fauna, predators, prey, and Victorian debutantes. I use these characters to create themes such as motherhood, familial love, permanence versus impermanence and the fragility of childhood.
Some are from my memory and some are magical. I use them as raw material to invent, discover and explore the tension between extremes – contemporary and classical, old and new, safe and unsafe, and discretion and confession. Because I deal with that grey matter, that tension, that space between extremes, it fulfills my desire to explore mystery.
I lead the viewer on this emotional labyrinth from the stable and content through twists and turns to a place of instability, ambiguity and melancholy.
The initial painting is done in oil and I make all my own colors and own paints. Then I put beeswax on the surface, take a dryer and burn it down to a smooth sheen. I’ll use dental tools to scratch into the surface to the paint and I’ll rub my burnt umber into the cracks. After a week I blow dry that off. I’m invested in the work and it takes a long time. That’s fine – I come from hearty stock and quilters and embroiderers.”
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