Art Fair Review: TEFAF 2022
Cy Twombly Untitled (Roma), 1962. Courtesy of TEFAF New York
Written by Belle McIntyre
After a two year hiatus there was a celebratory feeling in the air on the preview day at the Park Avenue Armory. The designers of the show always max out the idiosyncratic characteristics of the Armory in creative and original ways enhancing the experience for visitors and exhibitors. 91 dealers (13 new) from 14 countries were in booths in the Wade Thompson Drill Hall as well as the smaller rooms. on the main floor and the mezzanine. The offerings are wide ranging, span the world and include many genres.
Yves Klein Untitled blue Monochrome (IKB 198), 1958. Courtesy of TEFAF New York
There were topnotch 20th Century paintings from Chagall, Lucio Fontana, Roy Lichtenstein, a Francis Bacon - Pope Study, and a gorgeous Yves Klein blue monochrome. Sean Kelly showed a dazzling photograph by Marina Abramovich – Portrait with a Golden Mask, as well as a powerful bronze bust – Rumors of War – which is a replica of a monumental one which will stop in Times Square on its way to Richmond, Va, where it will reside on Arthur Ashe Blvd. at the entrance to the Richmond Museum of Fine Arts.
Gagosian Booth. Courtesy of TEFAF New York
Gagosian showed an eye-catching large-scale photo comprised of a Hollywood headshot of Veronica Lake given a surrealist slant by having her faced interrupted by a large oddly-shaped spoon. It is carefully placed opposite a Man—Ray oval framed mirror, scrawled with “les grands trans-Parents”
François-Xavier Lalanne Hippo-Bar, 1976/1996. Courtesy of TEFAF New York
François-Xavier Lalanne Hippo-Bar, 1976/1996. Courtesy of TEFAF New York
Sculpture ran the gamut from serious marble figures from antiquity, carved wooden African masks and objects, Louise Bourgeois mixed media, Jacques Lipschitz, to ironic, in the life-size “Baton Twirler” by Duane Hanson. Decorative arts were nicely represented by Jean Prouve, elegant sculptural pieces by Wendell Castle. Of particular note was Hippo-Bar in bronze by Francois-Xavier Lalanne, which is exactly what it is – a functional bar in the side of a large cast hippo. He never gets his tongue out of his cheek. It is delightful.
There appeared to be lively buying going on. One can only hope they will feel better about coming twice yearly as in the past. It is a wonderful addition to the New York art scene.
Photo Editing by Lenin Arache
