January 2015

1. Our New Location

We have moved to beautiful Chelsea and made it our new location, along with other hundreds of art galleries and studios. The Chelsea art district of New York is a great place for those interested in collecting art. The streets seem to be lined with art galleries and many buildings have multiple floor art galleries. The galleries feature a wide variety of artworks. You'll find traditional art, fine art photography, paintings, prints, sculpture s and other types of visual art. The Chelsea art district is one of the most important and influential art districts in the world. Be sure to visit us while in the area. Please see New Arrivals page for full details.

Address:

120 West 25th St.,

Rear Gallery

New York, NY 10001

(212) 229-0899

Hours:

Wed - Sun 12-6pm

Mon - Closed

Tue by Appointment

2. Community Events Relevant to Africa

a) If coming to New York, check out the museums listed elsewhere on these pages. Periodically these museums will offer exhibitions of direct pertinence to Africa. You can also call them. We have found them helpful on the phone, on the occasions when it was necessary to call.

b) Highlighting Brooklyn Museum's Exhibit of Kehinde Wiley's work. 

When Mr. Kehinde Wiley shopped with us, he presented himself as a very likeable, affable and humble young man. We did not know who he was and he did not let on. Imagine our shock and absolute awe when we found out who he is through a show on Channel 13, where he was introduced and tauted by Matt Lauer. Through that show on Channel 13 we were introduced to this magnificent and groundbreaking work. Kehinde Wiley is indeed an extraordinary artist, way ahead of his time and we will always be greateful for his business. We encourage everyone to go see this exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. You will be receiving a visual and intellectual treat and be so wowed! Kehinde Wiley (American, b. 1977). Shantavia Beale II, 2012. Oil on canvas, 60 x 48 in. (152.4 x 121.9 cm). Collection of Ana and Lenny Gravier, courtesy Sean Kelly, New York. © Kehinde Wiley. (Photo: Jason Wyche) February 20–May 24, 2015

Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing and Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery, 5th Floor

The works presented in Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic raise questions about race, gender, and the politics of representation by portraying contemporary African American men and women using the conventions of traditional European portraiture. The exhibition includes an overview of the artist’s prolific fourteen-year career and features sixty paintings and sculptures.

Wiley’s signature portraits of everyday men and women riff on specific paintings by Old Masters, replacing the European aristocrats depicted in those paintings with contemporary black subjects, drawing attention to the absence of African Americans from historical and cultural narratives.

The subjects in Wiley’s paintings often wear sneakers, hoodies, and baseball caps, gear associated with hip-hop culture, and are set against contrasting ornate decorative backgrounds that evoke earlier eras and a range of cultures.

Through the process of "street casting," Wiley invites individuals, often strangers he encounters on the street, to sit for portraits. In this collaborative process, the model chooses a reproduction of a painting from a book and reenacts the pose of the painting’s figure. By inviting the subjects to select a work of art, Wiley gives them a measure of control over the way they're portrayed.

The exhibition includes a selection of Wiley’s World Stage paintings, begun in 2006, in which he takes his street casting process to other countries, widening the scope of his collaboration.

Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic is organized by Eugenie Tsai, John and Barbara Vogelstein Curator of Contemporary Art, Brooklyn Museum. A fully illustrated catalogue published by the Brooklyn Museum and DelMonico Books • Prestel accompanies the exhibition.

This exhibition is made possible by Grey Goose Vodka. Additional support is provided by John and Amy Phelan, Sean Kelly Gallery, Stephen Friedman Gallery, and Roberts & Tilton.

3. A Customer's Love for Ashione Gallery's Jewelry

This past year, a young woman came excitedly into the gallery. She was wearing one of

the earrings that she bought from us while we were located at 41 Perry Street.

She exclaimed out of breath that those were her favorite pair.

She also said that on countless occasions people had walked up to her and wanted to buy the earrings right off her ears. Those were her exact words.

But of course she was not selling! You would have to come to us to get yours!!

She added that she'd been looking for us all over the place. She had gone back to our old location and saw that we were not there. But she eventually found us.

Come on down, y'all. Look no more. Come get yours. We are right here for you. Our beautiful adornments will glamorize you!!!

Share your stories with us and we'll be happy to print them here.

4. R.I.P. Robin Williams and Michael Jackson

Since our last publication we have lost two (2) monumental megastars, Robin Williams and Michael Jackson.

Robin, you made yourself our friend!

Robin Williams, as larger than life as he was, would stride into the Gallery (when we were at 41 Perry street), sometimes alone, other times with his entourage. He was always smiling and curious. "What is this, what is that , where was it made...and for what?"

He had a thing for monkeys. "You have any new monkeys...oh look at that!" He also fell in love with the Igbo farming implements (Textiles, Furniture and Vessels, ITUR 810) and would be seen admiring them through the glass window.

He was full of praise, encouragement and support. What a charmer! There were no ego trips, while he was with us. He just acted like one of us!!

Robin, you made yourself our friend!!! We will always miss you. Rest in Peace.

Michael Jackson

What an extraordinary talent! Say the name Michael and all thoughts go to him. See him as you may, but there is no denying that he revolutionized pop music and was loved by so many. It seems so unreal that he is no longer with us and that his music is all we now have.

He is greatly missed. Rest in Peace, Michael.