Gonkar Gyatso in conversation at Newark Museum

Contemporary artist, Gonkar Gyatso (left), Dr Katherine Anne Paul, Curator (right) in conversation

Gonkar Gyatso recently joined Dr Katherine Anne Paul, Curator of the Arts of Asia at the Newark Museum, for a fascinating public conversation about biographical narratives in contemporary and traditional Tibetan art.  The talk was based around a series of images - juxtapositions of recent works by the artist and ancient pieces from the museum's fantastic collection.  Gyatso, who resides in London and New York City, is a transnational artist and a founder of the Sweet Tea House.  His work has been internationally published, exhibited and collected in galleries and museums in Austria, China, England, India, the Netherlands, Scotland, Switzerland, the United States and Australia.   TAG looks forward to exhibiting a new print by the artist scheduled for release in the Fall. 

Thank you for visiting TAG's booth at AAFNYC, W7, 34th Street

It was great to meet so many people and catch up with our friends here in New York City.  If you want to find out more about any of the works at the Fair, or view them again, please contact Diana.

If you're looking for original yet still affordable contemporary art...

Then come and visit TAG at the New York Spring AAF Fair, running from 5 May to 8 May at 7W, 34th Street, just off 5th Avenue.   TAG can be found at booth F6.  Open daily from 11am until 8pm, kids 12 and under are free.  If you would like comp. tickets then contact Diana, via email, on diana@tagfinearts.com
We'll be showcasing established artists,  Sir Peter Blake,  Gilbert and George, John Hoyland and Rob Ryan, alongside emerging artists in British and international art.  Here's a sneak preview of  some of our limited edition, fine art prints.

Dan Baldwin, Slipstream, 2010, Limited edition of 50, $1,100 (framed)

Gilbert & George, Death after life, Limited edition of 100, $1,600 (framed)

Cai Yuan, One World One Dream, Published by TAG, Limited edition of 30, $700 (framed)

Rob Ryan, I Opened My Heart, Exclusive to TAG, Limited edition of 100, $4,500 (framed)

New Museum - freakin' awesome!

Sky Room,  New Museum

Panoramic (if somewhat foggy) view, New Museum

New Museum, with Rose installation by Isa Genzken

Tribute to Kate and Will's big day, NYC shoe shop

Easter is low key here in New York but HUGE excitement has been brewing for the Royal Wedding! I took time out this weekend to visit the New Museum on Bowery.  Founded in 1977, the New Museum is a leading destination for new art and new ideas.  It is Manhattan's only dedicated contemporary art museum and is respected internationally for the adventurousness and global scope of its curatorial program.  The minimalist design and spectacular high rise views beautifully offset the museum's challenging programme.  Currently on exhibition is a survey show of George Condo portraits, that according to Holland Cotter from the NY Times are, "freaky but classy" - I agree ... and a jaw dropping retrospective of sculpture and video work by Lynda Benglis that you have to hold yourself back from touching.

Art spaces in Amman

Toleen Touq, Independent Art Curator based in Amman and me at Darat Al Funun,
The Khalid Shoman Foundation, Jordan

Darat Al Funun, The Khalid Shoman Foundation,
Video installation by Adel Abidin

Darat Al Funun, The Khalid Shoman Foundation gardens

My sincere thanks to the wonderful Toleen Touq, an independent art curator based in Amman, who took time out of her busy schedule to give me a whistle stop tour around two important contemporary art spaces in Jordan: Darat Al Funun, The Khalid Shorman Foundation and Makan House.  I look forward to visiting again soon!

Amman, Jordan

Visit Palestine

The Mosaic Rooms, London part of the AM Qattan Foundation located in Palestine

Ancient tomb in the town of Sebastia, West Bank

Boys playing footy near Roman Temple, Sebastia region, West Bank

Amphitheater Sebastia region, West Bank

My reality of the West Bank was different to the one I'd seen portrayed in the media. On arrival I was met with vast rolling hills, lined with neat olive groves and brilliant blue skies providing the backdrop for breathtaking views and some truly spectacular historical remains dating back to pre-Roman times.  My visit to Sebestia was in acute contrast to the bustling town of Ramallah where I dropped in on the AM Qattan Foundation in search of the contemporary art scene.   AM Qattan Foundation runs a vital Culture and Arts programme in Palestine and a young artist of the year award, open to artists under the age of 30 of Palestinian descent from any part of the world.   Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On, an exhibition currently running until 21 April in their London space, the Mosaic Rooms, showcases a selection of work by the finalists for the 2010 award.  Conveniently located near to Earls Court tube, I highly recommend visiting the show to see first hand work previously exhibited in the West Bank city of Ramallah.  BBC's coverage of the award.

Dahlia Elsayed - author and artist

Dahlia Elsayed's typewriter in her studio, NJ

Dahlia Elsayed in her studio, NJ

Newark Penn Station - Newark, NJ

A recent maiden voyage on New York's Newark bound PATH train took me to the studio of talented New Jersey based writer and map artist, Dahlia Elsayed.  Just back from Egypt, following her inclusion in the XII International Cairo Biennale, Dahlia's energy and optimism is contagious. The walls of her studios adorned with painted text leaves you in no doubt that the mapping of words, is central to her practise as an artist.  Perhaps then, I shouldn't have been surprised when she revealed to me the source of her paintings - autobiographic hand typed carbon copy done on an old typewriter permanently situated in her studio.  Edited down, she takes a word or a phrase to the painting relocating it within a new terrain, and in doing so plays with meaning, and to a larger extent, with the viewer, as one inevitably attempts to contextualise the words.  She is a rare talent and her work has an universal appeal.