On my Christmas wish list
You don’t have to give me every artwork in this video for Christmas. I’m not greedy.
Whichever one you choose from my wish list, it’ll be the star of this wall. It’s 11.09 feet (3.38 meters high) by 9.12 feet (2.78 meters wide). So easy to fill!
Lemme help you out with a few more suggested presents:
Bisa Butler discusses “Three Kings” at Pulse Miami, 2018
“Three Kings” is only one of many breath-taking art quilts created by Bisa Butler. If her gallery’s already sold this piece, I would also accept “Zouave.” (Both are probably spoken for, but it never hurts to ask.)
“Saint Woman” (detail) by Amy Sherald, from “In This Imperfect Present Moment” at Seattle Art Museum
“Saint Woman” by Amy Sherald belongs to the Seattle Art Museum, but maybe you could acquire another portrait. “Freeing Herself Was One Thing, Taking Ownership of that Freed Self Was Another” might be available. If we position it properly, I’m sure we could fit two more pieces next to this one.
Textile work by Basil Kincaid at Design Miami, 2019 (from Mindy Solomon Gallery website)
Either one of these Basil Kincaid quilts would be amazing: “Celeste” on the left, or “Take Me Home” on the right. Again, I probably have room for both. Surprise me.
Liz Tran, “Ornament 14” at Morton Fine Art
But you know what would really wake up that wall space? A salon-style wall of paintings by Liz Tran. The biggest one available at Morton Fine Art is only four by four feet — plenty of room for six more circular paintings. Done! I’ll take a break from blogging to hang them up properly, and then I’ll be back January 8th. Happy holidays!
Black Girl Basel: If you can't meet 'em, join 'em online
I’m told art fairs at Art Basel Miami Beach can be both great fun and nightmarishly pretentious at the same time. Fortunately, there’s at least one bright spot: Black Girl Basel, which goes virtual this year!
Artist Kesha Bruce co-founded the event with attorney Mavis Gragg and communications expert Carol McDonald in 2018. It’s meant to accelerate forming those bonds that often lead to “hey, I know the perfect person for that role/ exhibit/ project” collaborations. And like all memorable gatherings, it was just… FUN. So much fun spilled over from the first Black Girl Basel event that even the New York Times arts section noticed.
And if you’re wondering about the elephant in the room:
I know for sure that my girl Liz Tran will be there (and believe me, Liz does not waste her time on soul-sucking distractions). Black Girl Basel happens on Miami time, so if you’re on the West Coast like me check the session timing carefully. Hope to see you there!