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Ferias de Arte, Artistas, Collections, Dallas Art Fair, Exhibitions, Bellas Artes, Galleries, General
At 10am, the first part of the controversial symposium “Finding Frida” took off. The owners of the Noyola Collection Carlos Noyola and Leticia Hernandez de Noyola started the presentation talking about how they met sharing their love and dedication to art collecting and to their Art and Antiques store located in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. After telling us how proud they are of their children who followed in their steps, they went on to tell us how Frida Kahlo got between them to never let go and how they share a passion for her works like nobody they know. The Noyola’s are here at the Dallas Art Fair to vindicate themselves by corroborating the authenticity of the works of Frida Kahlo which they have gathered throughout the years. They printed a book called “Finding Frida Kahlo”. They are also trying to reassert us by showing a video of how they have obtained validation from several sources including Arturo Garcia Bustos, Arturo Estrada, Chavela Vargas, Rina Lazo and Diego Maria Alvarado Rivera.
James Oles
After proudly playing the video, they were immediately questioned by James Oles about the documentation supporting the provenance of the works. James Oles is a professor of art history at Wellesley College, curator of Latin American Art and researcher of the Frida Kahlo archives at the Casa Azul Museum in Mexico City. Trying to be as unbiased as possible, I really wanted for the Noyola’s to prove their point. Who doesn’t want this collection to be authentic? Nobody. But there are very valid issues that overcloud the provenance and authenticity of the collection. Followed by James Oles was Mary Ann Martin. Mary Ann Martin is the owner and director of Mary Ann Martin Fine Art in New York City and she is one of the leading dealers of Latin American Art in the United States. She was asking the Noyola’s about how in the 90’s, they mentioned the source of the provenance of the collection to one newspaper as being from Manuel Marque and later on they told a different newspaper that the source was Abraham Jimenez Lopez. The question confused the Noyola’s; they seemed unorganized and struggled to answer the question as though they did not understand it. Their advisor Jed Paradies came into their rescue only to be shut down by moderator Jason Edward Kaufman pointing out the uncertainty of their rationale of where the artworks ultimately come from. After the symposium, we walked into the salon where 56 pieces from the Noyola collection were exhibited. Within 15 minutes, there were basically two groups; one consisting of the Noyola’s explaining why the collection is authentic and where they got it from and the arguments to prove their claims.
Dr. Salomon Grimberg
The other group gathered first around Dr. Salomon Grimberg who is the co-author of the Frida Kahlo catalog raisonné “Frida Kahlo, Das Gesamtwerk” and one of the leading experts of her work. Later on, another group gathered around James Oles who was absolutely certain that mostly every piece they were showing was a fake. Oles pointed out how the flag that reads “Viva Trosky” was misspelled (Trotsky is the correct spelling) and how the fact that the Noyola’s obtained 1200 works; 40+ original paintings that no Frida Kahlo nor any Latin American Art expert had ever seen or heard about. These details raised most of his claims. Finding Frida part II comes tomorrow. We will be there and I cannot wait to write about it.
Until tomorrow,
Laura Cunningham
Director
Ferias de Arte, Artistas, Exhibitions, Bellas Artes, Galleries, General
The Dallas Art Fair has been even greater than expected and I have met the nicest people. Many of whom are responsible for shaping the art world; others who are responsible for shaping the Latin American Art world and still others who are art enthusiasts and complete the ensemble. After hours of walking and talking to numerous gallery owners, getting to know them and getting the information I was looking for, I walked into the familiar warmth of a colleague who welcomed me into her booth.
Patricia Ruiz-Healey is owner and director of Ruiz-Healey Fine Art in San Antonio, TX. Patricia Ruiz-Healy holds a Masters Degree in Art History from the University of Texas in San Antonio. She also did Post-Graduate work in London at the Sotheby’s Institute and at the Coartauld Institute of Art. She is a PhD student at UT Austin working towards a Doctorate in Latin American Studies and clearly knows what she is all about. With a finicky attitude, she welcomes clients into her space and with visible pride, shows them what her gallery has to offer. Often taking works from the back to pull their interest and educating them further about the works.
In addition to Carlos Betancourt and Rodolfo Choperena, Ruiz-Healey Fine Art is also showcasing the artworks of Cecilia Paredes, Pedro Friedeberg and Cecilia Biagini among others. Patricia talked to me briefly about the artists she represents and their artwork so I could gather information about them for my articles. It was hard to hold a conversation with so many clients constantly walking in. She then informed me that one of the artists she represents: Carlos Betancourt was at the Fair and tried to locate him for me but he was gone. We then set up an interview for Saturday with Betancourt and also with Rodolfo Choperena which I will share with you once I am done with the transcripts.
Until then,
Laura Cunningham
Director
Ferias de Arte, Artistas, Exhibitions, Bellas Artes, Galleries, General
Marika Rivera died on Jan 14-2010 at 90 years old. Diego Rivera’s daughter Marika Rivera was living in a nursing home and had advanced dementia. She was a talented dancer and actress of several small movies including “Darling”, “The Girl on a Motorcycle” and “Hotel du Paradis” amongst others. Marika was born to Diego Rivera’s lover – Russian artist Marevna Vorobieff and was known to have a strong and fierce personality. Farewell.
Alberto Giacometti’s “Walking Man I” has reached the highest price ever paid for an artwork at auction. A life size bronze sculpture of a walking man was the subject of nearly ten bidders’ enthusiasm that made them go loony on each other for about 8 minutes at the Sotheby’s Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale in London. Giacometti’s “Walking Man I” sold for $104.3 million dollars tonight breaking Picasso’s world record for “Boy With a Pipe” which fetched $104.1 in 2004 at Sotheby’s in New York. Sotheby’s expected the sculpture to be sold for a maximum bidding price of $28.8 million. Giacometti’s prior selling record was $27.4 million set at Christie’s New York in 2008.
The Dallas Art Fair opens on Friday February 5th at the Dallas Fashion Industry building in Downtown Dallas Arts District. More than 50 art dealers from 15 cities will devote their energy into promoting the artists they represent. Having lived in Dallas for 15 years, it is energizing to see the art world morph from “barely there” to “all over the place”. And not only that the art scene has grown exponentially but the quality is now superb. Dallas is quickly growing into a real cosmopolitan city especially after the renovation and development of what is now Victory Park; a new area near Downtown Dallas and walking distance from Uptown. If you have not been there, it is worth the visit. I will attend the Dallas Art Fair this weekend and will tell you all about it. Exciting!
Laura Cunningham
Director
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