Art Exhibition: "My Name Is Maryan" at MOCA - on view through March 20, 2022

 

Photograph: Courtesy MOCA NOMI, "My Name is Maryan"

The Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA NOMI) is pleased to announce its forthcoming exhibition My Name is Maryan—a monographic presentation of four decades of paintings, sculptures, drawings and film by the iconoclastic, ground-breaking Polish-born artist Maryan. The exhibition opens to the public on November 17, 2021, and will remain on view until March 20, 2022. The exhibition reception will take place on December 2, in conjunction with Miami Art Week.

Drawing upon new scholarship and a trove of never-before-exhibited works, My Name is Maryan will be the first retrospective to holistically examine all periods of Maryan’s life and work. Throughout the museum, Maryan’s extraordinary biography and prolific oeuvre represent a deeply moving monument to the perseverance of the human spirit and power of art to work through traumatic loss. Credited as being among the first artist-eyewitnesses to directly depict their experiences of the Shoah, Maryan’s unique approach to figurative art strove to solidarity across cultures and generations.

Born to Abraham Schindel and Gitla Bursztyn in Nowy Sącz, Poland in 1927, young Pinkas, the artist who came to be known as Maryan grew up in a traditional, working-class Jewish family. In 1939, Pinkas and his family were captured by the Nazis. Under his mother’s maiden name, Bursztyn, he was imprisoned at various forced labor camps and finally at the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. Pinkas Bursztyn, who survived several near-death experiences, was the sole survivor of his family.

Maryan, Personnage (Soldat), 1974 oil on canvas 40 x 32 in. (101.5 x 81.25 cm) Collection of Beth Rudin DeWoody

After the war, Bursztyn recovered from his physical injuries, which necessitated having his leg amputated. In 1947, he immigrated to then-Palestine to begin his artistic training, first in Jerusalem and, beginning in 1950, at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. As an act of radical self-definition, the young artist shed the name under which the Nazis persecuted him, adopting the name Maryan. Living in Paris for over a decade, he exhibited in prominent galleries, forged a distinct style independent from but adjacent to the École de Paris and the CoBrA group.

After gaining a following in Paris, Maryan moved to New York City in the early 1960s, just as he developed his notion of the personnage—using the French term for character to title the fictitious figures that dominated his mature oeuvre. These personnages are powerful vehicles for complex narratives and served as a conduit for the formal evolution of his distinctive painterly language. Working in a studio in the famed Chelsea Hotel during the 1970s—which is recreated in an immersive installation in the exhibition’s opening gallery—he expanded upon the personage motif to create works that explore psychosexual tropes and other figures both historical and fictional.

Maryan died of a heart attack at the age of fifty in 1977. His last decade was extremely prolific but emotionally and physically turbulent. While he had always refused being called a “Holocaust artist,” the psychological fallout of Maryan’s experiences overwhelmed him in the early ‘70s.  Under the care of a psychiatrist, Maryan filled notebooks with drawings and text that provide insights into his biography and recurrent motifs of his art. In his only film, Ecce Homo (1975), Maryan paired a first-person testimonial of his experiences in Nazi prison camps with images of other social-protest movements.

My Name Is Maryan inserts this complex oeuvre into a larger narrative of postwar European and American art history. The exhibition takes Maryan’s act of renaming himself as more than a gesture of self-definition; through it, Maryan forges a defiant yet questioning form of humanism that he dubbed “truth-painting” (peinture-vérité). The exhibition restores Maryan’s rightful place in postwar art history—not only chronicling the work of an overlooked artist, but directly linking him to a larger context of his like-minded European and American contemporaries. Throughout the galleries, Maryan’s oeuvre will be juxtaposed with works by artists such as Asger Jorn, Constant, Egill Jacobsen, and other members of the CoBrA group; as well as American artists such as H.C. Westermann, Leon Golub, and June Leaf. The first holistic exploration of Maryan’s inspiring and defiant life and work, My Name Is Maryan seeks to build kinship with Maryan’s story and Miami’s diverse and thriving immigrant community.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a robust series of education and public programming in partnership with national organizations such as the Human Rights Watch, and feature additional reflections from the arts and local community: Curator and art historian Dr. Erica Moiah James (University of Miami), Holocaust scholar Oren Baruch Stier (Florida International University), and curator and filmmaker Leah Gordon.The exhibition will also be activated throughout Miami Art Week.

The exhibition will travel to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in March 2023. MOCA will publish a 250-page full-color catalog that reproduces key works held in the exhibition along with other archival imagery. These will be accompanied by critical essays from exhibition curator Alison M. Gingeras; Noa Rosenberg, curator for Modern and Israeli art at Tel Aviv Museum of Art; Piotr Słodkowski, assistant professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, and guest curator at the Museum of Modern Art, Warsaw; and the psychoanalyst and cultural critic Dr. Jamieson Webster.

About Alison M. Gingeras

A curator and writer, Alison M. Gingeras has been recognized for her scholarly yet anarchic approach to art history. She has held curatorial positions at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, the National Museum of Modern Art, Paris, the Centre Pompidou, Paris, and Francois Pinault’s Palazzo Grassi, Venice. Gingeras serves as Adjunct Curator of Dallas Contemporary and Guest Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami.

She has organized groundbreaking exhibitions such as Dear Painter, Paint Me: Painting the Figure Since Late Picabia(2002) at the Centre Pompidou; Pop Life (2009) which she co-curated at Tate Modern; Black Sheep Feminism: The Art of Sexual Politics (2016) and My Life as a Man: John Currin (2019) at Dallas Contemporary; Sex Work: Feminist Art & Radical Politics (2017) at Frieze London and New Images of Man (2020) at Blum & Poe. Her essays regularly appear in periodicals including Artforum, Spike, Mousse, Playboy, and Tate Etc., and in scores of art historical volumes.  In 2021, Gingeras organized the first ever monographic exhibition and publication on the Polish Surrealist Erna Rosenstein outside of Eastern Europe at Hauser and Wirth in New York.

Experience The Canine Creations of “Dog Artist” Skip Hartzell

South Florida artist Skip Hartzell creates large oil paintings, works on paper and four-legged sculptures inspired by man’s best friend.

Skip Hartzell in his art studio with his dogs

Port St. Lucie-based artist Skip Hartzell is known locally as “the dog artist”. He is a longtime supporter of no-kill animal rescues and donates proceeds from the sale of his artworks to animal-rescue, no kill shelters. The artworks he creates are inspired from morning walks accompanied by a furry friend, figments of his artistic imagination and creative vision. Hartzell creates directly from his emotions and instincts, his work is inspired by dogs of all shapes, sizes and varieties.

Skip Hartzell Collectors, Art Palm Beach

Skip Hartzell’s art studio is crawling with canine-based works. Whether he’s painting or sculpting, Hartzell’s dogs have a wonderful quality of friendliness about them, and it’s hard to keep yourself from reaching out to touch. And that’s perfectly okay with Hartzell. He’s never been one to place a rope around his artwork.

‘Toy Four’ (2018), Oil on Canvas, 60 x 48 Inches

“The texture is so important because the tactile experience of sculpture is so primal for me,” he says. “You grab with your hands and just start to mush things together and get your fingers on the materials, and there is just such a richness to the feel.” He says whenever he’s doing a show, he is quick to hand his sculptures to the patrons so they can enjoy the feeling, too. And whether it’s paint on canvas or sculpture, the texture is one of the most captivating and inviting parts of experiencing his artwork. Hartzell may not set out to mimic the look of someone’s beloved pet, but he says his sculptures and paintings often evoke a fond memory of a furry family member.

'Wall Dog #5', Papercrete and Resin, 8 x 12 inches

“If you love dogs, you are going to love Skip Hartzell’s soulful pieces. His work is representative of caricature features of dogs,” said J. Marshall Adams, the executive director of the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce where Hartzell has held exhibitions.

'Dogs of the Apocalypse', Oil & Flashe on Canvas, 48 x 48 Inches

“When you walk into Skip Hartzell’s studio you are greeted by hundreds of dogs in all shapes, sizes, textures and colors. There are dogs on the wall that create an intriguing color field installation. There are medium size dogs standing or sitting and hanging all over the place. And his large dogs just ask to be hugged,” said Rickie Leiter, Publisher of The Rickie Report.

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County's 2019 group show, "Paws and Claws: Animals in Art"

“Although I love dogs, my art is about much more, it is about form, movement and mostly about the painterly expression and texture of the surface,” Hartzell says. The artist has held numerous solo exhibitions at notable art galleries and prestigious art fairs such as Art Palm Beach, A.E. Backus Museum, ArtHouse 429, Paul Fisher Gallery, Aqua Art Fair during Art Basel Miami Beach and many more.

‘Golden’, Oil on Canvas, 48 x 60 Inches

To learn more about this fascinating artist, for sales information, commissions, or general inquiries, please email: skipperhartzell@yahoo.com and visit www.skiphartzell.com

Artist Skip Hartzell creates large oil paintings, works on paper and four-legged sculptures inspired by man’s best friend

Artist Skip Hartzell in his art studio

South Florida artist Skip Hartzell is known locally as “the dog artist”. He is a longtime supporter of no-kill animal rescues and donates proceeds from the sale of his artworks to animal-rescue, no kill shelters. The artist creates large oil paintings, works on paper and four-legged sculptures inspired by man’s best friend.

Left: ‘Raw Dog #1’, Mixed materials with Burlap and Concrete, 75 x 45 x 35 Inches. Right: ‘Raw Dog Bails’, Mixed materials with Burlap and Concrete on Steel Base
55 x 35 x 24 Inches

His inspiration comes in the form of a morning walk, accompanied by a furry friend. The canine-inspired artworks that he creates are figments of his artistic imagination and creative vision. Hartzell creates directly from his emotions and instincts, his work is inspired by dogs of all shapes, sizes and varieties. He is best known for his unique sculptures recognized immediately by their distinct form and style only Hartzell can produce.

‘Big Pink’, Papercrete and Resin, 36 x 32 x 16 Inches

“The sculptures are partly abstract with lanky legs and floppy ears and body postures that tell shaggy dog stories. He has created his own kind of material, mixing resin and paper mache onto a wire frame then coating it with paints, clay, and wax until he achieves the surface he wants. He likes the surface to look ‘beat up’. When it’s finally done he stamps it with a small red heart as his signature,” said art writer & art critic Sandra Schulman of Hartzell’s dog sculptures in West Palm Beach Magazine.

'Waiting', Resin and Oil, 28 x 20 x 12 Inches

Hartzell’s art studio is crawling with canine-based works. Whether he’s painting or sculpting, Hartzell’s dogs have a wonderful quality of friendliness about them, and it’s hard to keep yourself from reaching out to touch. And that’s perfectly okay with Hartzell. He’s never been one to place a rope around his artwork.

Happy Skip Hartzell Collectors, Art Palm Beach fair

“The texture is so important because the tactile experience of sculpture is so primal for me,” he says. “You grab with your hands and just start to mush things together and get your fingers on the materials, and there is just such a richness to the feel.” He says whenever he’s doing a show, he is quick to hand his sculptures to the patrons so they can enjoy the feeling, too. And whether it’s paint on canvas or sculpture, the texture is one of the most captivating and inviting parts of experiencing his artwork. Hartzell may not set out to mimic the look of someone’s beloved pet, but he says his sculptures and paintings often evoke a fond memory of a furry family member.

Skip Hartzell solo exhibition at Aqua Art Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach 2018

‘Partners’, Resin & Graphite, 25 x 37 x 21 Inches

“If you love dogs, you are going to love Skip Hartzell’s soulful pieces. His work is representative of caricature features of dogs,” said J. Marshall Adams, the executive director of the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce where Hartzell has held exhibitions.

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County’s 2019 Group Show, “Paws and Claws: Animals in Art” featuring Skip Hartzell

“Although I love dogs, my art is about much more, it is about form, movement and mostly about the painterly expression and texture of the surface,” Hartzell says. The artist has held numerous solo exhibitions at notable art galleries and prestigious art fairs such as Art Palm Beach, A.E. Backus Museum, ArtHouse 429, Paul Fisher Gallery, Aqua Art Fair during Art Basel Miami Beach and many more.

Skip Hartzell Collector, Curator Dr. Milagros Bello of Curator Voice Art Projects (CVAP) Miami

For more information about this fascinating artist, for sales, commissions, or general inquiries, please email skipperhartzell@yahoo.com and visit www.skiphartzell.com

The Four-Legged Sculptures Of "Dog Artist" Skip Hartzell

'Big Pink’, Papercrete and Resin, 36 x 32 x 16 Inches

South Florida artist Skip Hartzell creates unique art inspired by man’s best friend. His inspiration comes in the form of a morning walk, accompanied by a furry friend. Hartzell creates large paintings and works on paper that capture the essence of “dog”. He is best known for his unique sculptures recognized immediately by their distinct form and style that only Hartzell can produce.

Skip Hartzell Art Collectors, Art Palm Beach Fair

The canine-inspired artworks that he creates are figments of his artistic imagination and creative vision. Hartzell creates directly from his emotions and instincts, his work is inspired by dogs of all shapes, sizes and varieties.

'Nine Dog Wreck', Papercrete and Resin, 28 x 18 x 16 Inches

“Dogs are always in the moment. Although nothing in life has held my attention longer or has been more fascinating to me than dogs, my work is about much more than that. It is about form, movement, color and texture." Hartzell’s art studio is crawling with canine-based works. Whether he’s painting or sculpting, Hartzell’s dogs have a wonderful quality of friendliness about them, and it’s hard to keep yourself from reaching out to touch. And that’s perfectly okay with Hartzell. He’s never been one to place a rope around his artwork.

Skip with two wall dog sculptures

“The texture is so important because the tactile experience of sculpture is so primal for me,” he says. “You grab with your hands and just start to mush things together and get your fingers on the materials, and there is just such a richness to the feel.” 

Skip Hartzell Art Collector, Aqua Art Miami Fair

Skip says whenever he’s doing a show, he is quick to hand his sculptures to the patrons so they can enjoy the feeling, too. And whether it’s paint on canvas or sculpture, the texture is one of the most captivating and inviting parts of experiencing his artwork. Hartzell may not set out to mimic the look of someone’s beloved pet, but he says his sculptures and paintings often evoke a fond memory of a furry family member.

The artist has held numerous solo exhibitions at notable art galleries and prestigious art fairs such as Art Palm Beach, A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, ArtHouse 429, Paul Fisher Gallery, Aqua Art Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach and many more. 

'Wall Dog #5', Papercrete and Resin, 8 x 12 Inches

"The dogs are a recognizable common denominator that allows me to communicate my joy of living, passions and sentiments,” explained Skip Hartzell. He is a longtime supporter of no-kill animal rescues and donates proceeds from the sale of his artworks to animal-rescue, no kill shelters. For sales, commissions, or general inquiries, email: skipperhartzell@yahoo.com and visit www.skiphartzell.com

Experience an Intimate Glimpse into Art Palm Beach with Sculptor Ágnes Nagy

Hungarian Sculptor Ágnes Nagy has been developing her career as a sculptor since childhood. At a very young age she attended the Medgyessy Ferenc sculpting workshop led by the sculptor Gábor Szabó in Pestújhely, one of the northern suburbs of Budapest. And later graduated from the Secondary School of Fine and Applied Arts of Budapest, known as “Kisképző” in 1994. Her large statues of animals in glazed fireclay, brass, bronze, and steel mixed media embody specific spiritual, ideological and moral meaning.

Sculptor Ágnes Nagy with one of her sculptures‘LION’ Saint Mark
Glazed fireclay, brass, mixed media, 105 x 65 x 65 cm, 2018

“The framework of my life is made through my sculpting, and it is able to hold me on the ground as much as it is able to take me away from reality both in years with difficulties and trials and the happy and successful periods of time,” said Nagy of her work. As far as her subject matter is concerned, “I didn’t choose animals, they were the ones who found me and refuse to let me go for now,” explained the artist.

Ágnes Nagy’s work was recently exhibited at Art Palm Beach from January 31 – February 03, 2020 with Erdész Gallery & Design. “The expressiveness of Nagy’s artistic credo is embodied in bronze, glazed fireclay, stainless steel, and realistic animal portrayals. Every sculpture by Ágnes can be given a specific spiritual, ideological and moral meaning—that may be reformulated by the viewer in several ways,” said Adam Erdesz of Erdész Gallery.

Ágnes Nagy at Art Palm Beach 2020, Booth 536, Erdész Gallery & Design

To learn more about this fascinating artist, for sales, commissions, general inquires or future show information, email art@agnesnagy.com and visit https://www.agnesnagy.com/

The Magnificent Sculptures Of Ágnes Nagy Combine Reality, Imagination, Nature & Mysticism

Hungarian Sculptor Ágnes Nagy has been developing her career as a sculptor since childhood. Her large statues of animals embody specific spiritual, ideological and moral meaning. At a very young age Ágnes Nagy attended the Medgyessy Ferenc sculpting workshop led by the sculptor Gábor Szabó in Pestújhely, one of the northern suburbs of Budapest. And later graduated from the Secondary School of Fine and Applied Arts of Budapest, known as “Kisképző” in 1994. Her large statues of animals in glazed fireclay, brass, bronze, and steel mixed media embody specific spiritual, ideological and moral meaning.

‘ELEPHANT’, Glazed fireclay, 100 x 60 x 60 cm, 2010 In the Private Collection of the European scupture garden in Balatonalmádi, Hungary Exhibited at Gallery Virág Judit in 2011, the City Zoo Budapest, Hungary in 2011, and the Natural Science Museum Budapest, Hungary in 2012

“The framework of my life is made through my sculpting, and it is able to hold me on the ground as much as it is able to take me away from reality both in years with difficulties and trials and the happy and successful periods of time,” said Nagy of her work. As far as her subject matter is concerned, “I didn’t choose animals, they were the ones who found me and refuse to let me go for now,” explained the artist.

‘RHINO’, Glazed fireclay, 80 x 40 x 45 cm, 2007Private Collection. Exhibited at Virág Judit Gallery 2011, Budapest City Zoo 2011, the Natural Science Museum 2012, Villa Vaszary Balatonfüred 2018, Falk Art Forum 2018

Ágnes Nagy’s work was recently exhibited at Art Palm Beach from January 31 – February 03, 2020 with Erdész Gallery & Design. “The expressiveness of Nagy’s artistic credo is embodied in bronze, glazed fireclay, stainless steel, and realistic animal portrayals. Every sculpture by Ágnes can be given a specific spiritual, ideological and moral meaning—that may be reformulated by the viewer in several ways,” said Adam Erdesz of Erdész Gallery.

Art Palm Beach 2020, Booth 536, Erdész Gallery & Design

“Art is a way of life in which the artist’s professional and personal life are not separated. It’s not a consciously made choice, so every artist takes the responsibility to do what they love most and are the best at, and through it all they can produce something for people to enjoy. Anyone who has ever visited an exhibition or has artwork in their home will know the power of art. It can impress people, fill them up with positive vibes, can contribute to the growth of their personality and sense of style, and their becoming something more. 

'Unicorn', Glazed Fireclay, etchingmixed media, 122 x 84 cm, 2019

By creating art, I can connect to people on an entirely different level, I can reach emotional strings vibrating deep inside, which is only possible through art.” This internationally collected sculptor plans to hold more exhibitions in the United States, "visual arts are about designing objects and figurative and non-figurative shapes, and I am fundamentally interested in creating artworks that can be displayed in indoor spaces, a piece of art that people can live with. This is a tiny market in Hungary, collectors and artists know each other by name. The segment of the customers who purchase contemporary sculptures is even smaller. It is necessary to extend this market to international customers.”

‘JUMPING JAGUAR’, Bronze, 40 x 8 x 17 cm, 2009. Art Palm Beach 2020, Booth 536, Erdész Gallery & Design

To learn more about this fascinating artist, for sales, commissions, general inquires or future show information, email art@agnesnagy.com and visit https://www.agnesnagy.com/

Artist Lenore Rae Lampi's Work Explores the Lush Folds, Twists and Forces of Physics in Natural Forms and Textiles

The possibilities of form and movement lend a fluidity to Lenore Lampi‘s sculptural ceramic artwork. Her work is appealing not only because the designs are eloquent, but also because the subject matter reflects poignant memories and notions of endurance.

Artist Lenore Rae Lampi

Sculptor Lenore Rae Lampi has been associated with her biomorphic birch bark series for years but has recently moved seamlessly into a new arena of cultural commentary and pop-art influenced objects. In her latest Big Bling Series, Lenore has embraced the forms of ribbons and bows, essentially birch bark of another kind, the outermost layer of cultural icons and nostalgic tendencies.

Lenore Rae Lampi, ‘Bow Form II’, Ceramic Sculpture, 18″H x 13″W x 14″D

Lampi’s signature work is a study in perception and a reflection o f the undulating movement of tree bark. Her Big Bling series explores adornments such as ribbons, bows, and streamers, monumentalizing these humble objects while evoking feelings of nostalgia. Both series use clay as a starting point to explore lush folds, twisting shapes, and the forces of physics in natural forms and textiles.

Lenore Rae Lampi, ‘Bling in Red’, Ceramic Wall Sculpture.
Clay with a cold finish of paint and flocking, 15″H x 20″W x 5″D

Collectors and art aficionados recently had the opportunity to experience Lampi’s work on exhibit at the 23rd Edition of Art Palm Beach with Steidel Contemporary Booth 422, January 30 – February 3, 2020. Work is available for sale through Artful Home, where select pieces can be purchased directly from their website, click here.

Lenore Rae Lampi, ‘Bling in Bronze’, Ceramic Wall Sculpture. Hand built from clay and finished with a metallic bronze-colored glaze. Dimensions for each, clockwise from upper left: 19″ x 17″, 19″ x 16″, 16″ x 12″.

Lenore Lampi earned a BA in fine art and an MA in art education from the University of Minnesota. She has studied under and learned from many notable artists, including Dorian Beaulieu, Bob Husby, Holly Anderson Jorde, and Wenzhi Zhang. She participated in the International Wood Fire Conference in China in 2007.

Lenore Rae Lampi, from the Big Bling Series, ceramic high relief wall sculpture. Mixed media with flocking, 14″ x 14″.

Always fascinated with the undulating forms in Classical drapery since the days of observing her mother’s workings as a seamstress, Lenore now captures this movement and narrative with a Pop Art sensibility. Her new series explores the notion of adornment of the affordable kind. Ribbons, bows, and streamers in an historical context may evoke feelings of nostalgia, kitsch, and pomp. Referencing Pop Art to describe the work, with the intention to monumentalize these humble objects.

Lenore Rae Lampi, ‘Buoyant Bling II’, 2019.
Ceramic Sculpture, 21″H x 17″W x 5″D.
vailable with Steidel Contemporary

Lampi’s current sculptural work has a bold narrative delineating the growing veneration of the female influence in American culture, meanwhile arousing the nostalgic infatuation with the ‘good old days’ that so many Americans seem to want to relive. For more information about this fascinating artist, to commission a piece, make an inquiry, or to learn about future exhibitions, please visit: www.lenorelampi.com

South Florida artist Skip Hartzell creates large paintings, sculptures and drawings that capture the essence of “dog”

'Swimmer #2', Flashe on Canvas, 72 x 72 Inches

Canine charcoal drawings, oil paintings, works on paper and four-legged sculptures South Florida artist Skip Hartzell creates large paintings, sculptures and drawings that capture the essence of “dog”, all of the work is rich with intricacies of color and technique. His painterly expression captures each dog’s own personality with beautiful textures, line and brush strokes using mixed media to bring each dog to life. He is best known for his unique sculptures recognized immediately by their distinct form and style that only Hartzell can produce.   'Dog #130', Papercrete and Resin, 15 x 12 Inches   "Every morning before I go into my studio I walk with my dogs for about two hours. We don’t have a schedule, the length of the walk depends on how many rabbits, squirrels, new smells, and other treasures they dig up along the way. Making art for me is very much like walking my dogs. I go in to my studio and sniff around. I pick up a thing or two, decide if it has interest and I might work on it or maybe begin something brand new. Like my dogs I’m always excited and ready to see where the work will take me. My art is the stuff that I leave behind after hours in the studio." –Skip Hartzell   Group of (4) Paintings, each piece is Oil On Canvas,16 x 20 Inches The artist has held numerous solo exhibitions at notable art galleries and prestigious art fairs such as Art Palm Beach, A.E. Backus Museum, ArtHouse 429, Paul Fisher Gallery, Aqua Art Fair during Art Basel Miami Beach and many more.   'Sitter', Papercrete and Resin, 8 x 8 x 8 Inches   Hartzell is a longtime supporter of no-kill animal rescues and donates proceeds from the sale of his artworks to animal-rescue, no kill shelters. For sales info, private commissions, general inquiries or exhibition updates, email: skipperhartzell@yahoo.com / visit www.skiphartzell.com

The Incredible Miami Sculptor & Illustrator Ian Fichman

Miami-based sculptor and illustrator Ian Fichman is known for his amusing metal sculptures, creating an army of steel, rustic figures – each with a unique vibe and story – at the Bakehouse Art Complex in the Wynwood Arts District.

“My artwork is a sardonic narrative of human existence. Each one-of-a-kind sculpture is uniquely assembled piece by piece, bringing its character to life. Their bodies are built around stylized skeletal structures, focusing on the framework of our being. The figures are mutually faceless, symbolizing our kinship as human beings through the shared struggles of our endeavors. My sculptures chronicle life experiences, each driven by different desires but similarly seeking a correct modus operandi to fulfill their own aspirations, if there even is one.”

Ian Fichman was born in Miami, Florida in 1978. With an outlook that defies the familiar, Ian renounces the regularly scheduled program. He has always been a weirdo. During his years at Florida State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Studio Art in 2002, he was introduced to metalwork. Given the freedom to explore the possibilities of the medium, Ian found fulfillment working with his hands.

In 2010, after a brief venture into the digital arts, he returned to sculpture. Joining the program at San Diego State University, Ian gained unlimited access to the sculpture lab where he worked as a technician. It was there that he began to fine-tune the style and techniques that have made his work what it is today. Returning to his hometown, Ian set up shop at Studio #1 in the Bakehouse Art Complex in Wynwood. Committed to creating, he works full time in his practice to expand his portfolio, while searching for opportunities to increase the reach of his work.

You can find Fichman and his series of uniquely assembled, one-of-a-kind art pieces at the Bakehouse Art Complex in Studios #1 & #12 located in the Wynwood Arts District at 561 NW 32nd Street in Miami, Florida 33127. www.ianfichman.com