Stephen Basso

"Procession" coney island theme beach scene humorous lush green colors

1983

an early work by artist on canvas Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with bou...

oil on cradled wooden board signed and dated on reverse contemporary figurative expressionism

Figurative work, depicting a torso from the back in slightly 3/4 view and cut off at the knees, defined with painterly brush strokes in an earthy palette of browns, greens, and oranges. Luis Frangella (1944-1990) was a figurative, postmodern painter and sculptor. He earned a masters in architecture at the University of Buenos Aires in 1972 and then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1973. In 1976, he moved to New York City where he painted huge “street” murals on construction site wall, abandoned Hudson River piers and in the nightclubs of the East Village and Tribeca. Situated in these nontraditional spaces, he began working with subversive artists like Wojnarowicz. Luis was a sort of father figure to many younger artists, becoming an influential member of the East Village art scene. Known as a good cook, he fostered a sense of community and caring, often serving impromptu meals in his loft after the late-night club scene...

What better time than now to introduce Sax Berlin's Mortality series. Since people started creating art works there have been representations of human (and animal) bones; skeletons and skulls. This is a departure for Berlin and he brings his masterly talent to the genre. The Mortality series offers pieces that are in the vein of Neo-Expressionism and Art Brut but they are stamped with Berlin's authority. Redolent of Picasso's work Black Skull and Jug (1946) or the work of Belgian Expressionist...