After the close of the Caskey Lees Tribal Show in 2009, I had not returned to New York until May of this year to cover the Tribal Week of Shows and Auctions.  I visited New York a few weeks prior to the tribal week and it was clear that already momentum had been building.

This year the New York Tribal scene fully ignited into a blazing star after building energy for several years. 

If you too have taken a break from following the New York tribal scene surrounding the major auctions, it is definitely time to return.  The scene has grown and evolved thanks to the hard work and perseverance by a handful of dealers.  There were many exciting pieces to be enjoyed, discussed and purchased, making for an overall rich art experience.  To expand upon that, I was more inspired with quality of art that I saw in New York, than the art in Brussels during the Bruneaf fair in June.

 

There was SO MUCH  happening; keeping on top of it all was a real challenge.  Sharing information with others was vital in case you missed an email invite for a particular exhibition or event.  A visitor had to navigate, coordinate and physically get to all of the venues, which seemed like a fulltime job.   It was a sea of invitations, previews, etc.   That said, everything happening was within a 30 block radius mainly on the upper east side.  Being a California native I “drive” everywhere, so the continuous walking and walking took a toll on my poor feet.  Needless to say they didn't take me everywhere I wanted to go. 

There was also a show called "Tribal Togetherness" hosted by Howard Nowes in his gallery on 303 East 81st street that included material from Jo De Buck, Dave Deroche, Fernandez and Zemanek. 

I noted there was no shortage of people in attendance.  Lots of European dealers came to check out the scene.  All of the opening night venues were crowded especially the AOA Tribal Art New York show organized by Maureen Zarember at the Fletcheer-Sinclair Mansion.

I didn't get much feedback on what success individual dealers had.  A few dealers told me they would do the event gain but didn't sell anything expensive.  That said, I'm hearing a unconfirmed report that an African piece was sold for close to $700K!  It appeared the hometown NYC dealers sold better than the visiting dealers; a home court advantage I guess.   

I must give strong praise to all of the dealers, there were many, that stepped up to display their heavy artillery (good art).  This made for a much richer and stimulating art experience.  They all deserve great appreciation.  I want to acknowledge all the hard work, planning, and capital the dealers contributed to promote and produce these professional venues.

Based on what I know about the European debt crisis and from talking to collectors and dealers on the continent, I'm predicting within a year we'll begin to see an economic shift.  As the EU continues to be mired in a debt crisis, increased buying demand will come from collectors in the U.S.

 

 

OPENING NIGHT- MADISON ANCIENT & TRIBAL ART SHOW

Acting on a tip, James Stephen secured this impressive upscale gallery space at 1016 Madison Ave.  He and Peter Boyd helped organize and promote their classy show.

 

Show entrance with Stevenson's display in front

 

(Stevenson) Northern Tanzanian figure from the Pare people

 

(Stevenson)

 

(Stevenson)

 

    

(Stevenson)  with a Kamba figure and a Lobi Bateba figure (right)

 

 

Renaud Vanuxem visiting from Paris

 

Huber primitive art

 

Kevin Conru next to a Middle Sepik House mask, probably Sawos?  There were 3 or 4 floors of dealers and as I recall Kevin had the largest space on the first floor.

 

Conru

 

Conru with an early PNG Boiken mask

 

Conru's New Guinea Yuat River Mundugumor flute figure got a lot of attention

 

 detail of above

 

Conru

 

 

 Mark Assyag and his wife from Montreal

 

Peter Boyd

 

Adrian Schlag was keeping it minimal with just 6 pieces displayed on the landing of the second floor.  Having the magic "European touch" he probably sold out too.  We can all learn something from Adrian.

 

Schlag with a unique old Tiv figure having long arms and fingers

 

 

This musician on the 2nd with an enormous "thing"

 

Amyas Naegele had a handsome display and ingeniously conquered the space limitations by maximizing his display area using mounted hanging panels for his collection of spoons, heddle pulleys, whistles, combs and throwing knives.

 

Amyas Naegele

 

Amyas Naegele

 

(Amyas Naegele) A 19th c. Maori canoe bailer

 

 

As you can see it got crowded in there making it challenging to buzz around and shoot photos.

 

Bruce Frank next to Fred Taylor from San Francisco (left)

 

(Bruce Frank) Some stone-carved treasures from New Guinea. A Sepik Betel nut mortar with 4 figures and a small deeply carved charm. (Not to be confused for a "bottle opener")

(Bruce Frank)

 

(Bruce Frank) with African collector Noble Endicott and Boston Collector Susan Allen

 

I think I'm on the "third floor" now?   Joe Loux (San Francisco).  Joe's wife Katie is expecting a stork visit soon.

 

Joe Loux cont.  In addition to tribal art, he displayed a fine selection of Asian jewelry, masks and textiles

 

Kellim Brown exhibiting from Florida, discussing baby names with Katie

 

AOA (African, Oceanic, Americas) TRIBAL ART NEW YORK

 

A short walk around the corner was this upscale venue in its second year at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion .  Maureen Zarember (Tambaran Gallery) and one employee, took the bull by the horns and produced the entire show by themselves.  Knowing how much work that is, their efforts were commensurate.  They left no stone unturned and even produced a terrific catalog featuring all the exhibiting dealers, including advertising with auction houses and museums!  The map on the back was most helpful too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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