Local Spotlight: #KusamaStoop by Shannon B. Loynaz

Image courtesy of Chloe the Cavapoo @chloenotsevigny: https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-AcytDKZ6/

Where can you find 75+ polka dotted pumpkins and an Instagram-worthy photo op? If you think it’s a Halloween riddle or an exhibition at David Zwirner Gallery - think again! This scene, that pays homage to the great artist Yayoi Kusama, is here in Boston’s South End. Local art consultant Shannon Loynaz has decorated her stoop with meticulously painted pumpkins for the public to enjoy. Using the hashtag #KusamaStoop, her front steps have hosted everyone from famous Instagrammers to the cutest of pups. 

We chatted with Shannon about her inspiration, and she explained, “I view the Kusama stoop as a participatory experience with the goal of offering my South End community a touch of wonder. My husband and I are so fortunate to live in such a wonderful neighborhood that really pulls out all of the stops when it comes to decking the halls for every holiday. Installing the Kusama stoop was not just an opportunity for me to join in on the festivities, but also to connect with other art-centric individuals both in the South End and greater Boston area.”

The entire installation took around five days to complete - which includes buying the pumpkins, picking up the art supplies from Blick, painting the pumpkins, and then waiting until they were dry enough to be sprayed with a sealant… it is a serious labor of love!

Shannon went on to say, “installing my Kusama stoop has been a dream of mine for several years. As soon as my husband and I returned to Appleton Street from Cambridge two years ago, I began to plot. This time last year we were traveling so much for friends' weddings, etc. - the opportunity sort of slipped away from me. But knowing we were going to be grounded on Appleton this fall along with most of our neighbors - the timing felt obligatory.”

There is still time to snag a photo in front of this local attraction. Shannon plans to leave the pumpkins on view until Saturday, November 7th, so head over to the cross streets of Appleton between Clarendon and Dartmouth!

Image courtesy of @doorsofsouthend: https://www.instagram.com/p/CFj1m1XA1Md/

About Shannon Berger Loynaz:

Website: https://www.thewelladvisory.com/
Email: shannon@thewelladvisory.com 

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Shannon Berger Loynaz, Founder of The Well Fine Art

Founder and director of The Well Fine Art, Shannon (Berger) Loynaz started her career in the art world at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum’s education department before joining Voltz Clarke Contemporary, an art gallery located in Manhattan, New York. While serving as Voltz Clarke’s associate director, Shannon handled the private sale of works by represented artists amongst the most esteemed collectors. Simultaneously Shannon managed the gallery’s full artist roster, exhibition preparation, and collaborative partnerships with brands such as Bergdorf Goodman, The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, and Veronica Beard. 

Press Release: Tidal Flexing

Amanda Wachob: Tidal Flexing
August 28 – October 11, 2020
460C Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA

Click for available artwork

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Abigail Ogilvy Gallery is proud to announce Tidal Flexing, our first solo presentation of Amanda Wachob’s artwork. A true innovator in her field, Wachob has become internationally known for redefining the fine art of tattooing. Her recent body of works on canvas are created by using tattoo ink and a surrealistic technique called Decalcomania.  It is also the process used in preparing "marbled" tattoos. The final impressions are printed digitally onto temporary tattoo paper, and then applied to canvas instead of skin. The tattoo ink creates an abstract visual ebb and flow, combining neon colors with dark hues and areas of intentionally exposed canvas. The resulting organic shapes are reminiscent of an extraterrestrial shoreline that calls attention to the artist’s process. In addition to the artworks on canvas, Tidal Flexing introduces Wachob’s first limited-edition print on silk.

Jupiter's moon Europa is one of the only celestial bodies in our solar system besides Earth that is said to hold the potential for life. Its surface is wrapped with lines, striated with cracks, and fractured with beautiful patterns due to the process of tidal flexing, or the continuous stretching and heating of its icy layer caused by the shape of its orbit around Jupiter.

The inspiration for this body of work, Amanda Wachob writes, “Sometimes, we rotate around one another like moons or satellites.  With a gravitational pull of sorts, sometimes with an unexplainable magnetism.  Our orbits around one another can be imperfect, off-balance or elliptical, and we can experience stress, friction and fractures.  It is this pushing and pulling and stretching of one another though, that can break us open and be the catalyst to create the conditions for new life.”

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Amanda Wachob, Possible Blueprint, Tattoo ink and temporary tattoo paper on canvas, 48 x 36 in., 2020

Amanda Wachob is a New York City-based artist who is internationally known for her innovative and conceptual work with the tattoo medium.  Her canvases include fruit, leather, linen, and skin.  She has done projects with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New Museum, the Museum of Arts and Design, The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and The Whitney.  Pioneering the watercolor tattoo movement and actively bridging the gap between tattooing and fine art, she has been named one of the 50 most creative people in the world by AdAge.  She has exhibited her work in galleries and museums worldwide.

New Neighbors and Fresh Faces in SoWa

2017 has been an interesting year in the art world, from major museum controversies to recent galleries closures. Often overlooked are the new spaces opening up. Here in SoWa there are dozens of art galleries and studios brimming with art, and notable new galleries have recently moved to town:

A R E A Gallery
460C Harrison Avenue

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A lively crowd at A R E A opening night, including Gallery Director, David Guerra (2nd from right), image courtesy of A R E A Gallery Facebook

What began as a photography pop-up project called Darkroom Boston, founded by David Guerra, and eventually morphed into an apartment gallery space, is now a physical gallery securely located in the C building of 460 Harrison Avenue. On December 1st, AREA occupied two existing commercial spaces at the end of the hallway, immediately bringing life to the space with his bright, backlit sign and booming energy to match. The inaguaral exhibition, C O L L A G E art sale, features 26 artists working in a wide variety of styles and media. The gallery mission is focused on promotion of the arts in Boston through interesting exhibitions and events, and they believe everyone should be a collector! Read more about the gallery by clicking here.

KABINETT Gallery
450 Harrison Avenue #29

Opening January 5th, 2018, KABINETT Gallery has relocated from their Shawmut Avenue location and moved into their new, two-level gallery space at 450 Harrison Avenue. Gallery owner and director, Gabe Boyers, has curated an upcoming exhibition, Killers & Thrillers, that will feature an astounding 50+ artists from 200 BC -2017. According to their wesbite, "Above all, Boyers chooses to represent work that he loves, art that moves and transforms us." An active member of the MFA Museum Council, you can catch Boyer's speaking on art collecting panels or in conversation about his passion for mid-19th through early 20th century works. Read more about the gallery by clicking here, and don't miss the opening reception on January 5th! Also check out their very cool promotional video: https://vimeo.com/246640833

Beacon Gallery
534B Harrison Avenue

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Image courtesy of @beacongallery Instagram

Officially opened on November 2nd of this year, their first exhibition, First Look, features six contemporary artists working in a variety of styles and media. Described by The Boston Sun as "a warm little oasis filled with art," the gallery activates a space that was previously a garden level office. Run by a powerhouse team that includes owner Christine O'Donnell, marketing director Rachel Lagault, and finance and admin coordinator Jennifer Condensa-Garcia, they offer a fresh perspective to the Boston art scene. You can look forward to their upcoming show opening January 5th, Lives in Limbo: Refugees at the Gates of Europe, which will two-fold feature topical artwork and fundraise on behalf of refugees (100% of profits!). Click for more details about Beacon Gallery.

The biggest takeaway: having a physical space is still important. People still want to see and experience art in person, this creates that important dialogue between the patron and the work. SoWa has become the destination for contemporary art in Boston, stop by any day of the week (well, aside from Mondays!) and you can see dozens of exhibitions and hundreds of artists all within a few blocks. 

SoWa First Friday

This Friday, November 6, Abigail Ogilvy Gallery will be participating in SoWa’s “First Friday” and will be open after hours from 5 pm-9 pm.   

On the first Friday of every month, the SoWa District keeps its doors open to the public for an evening of culture. This gives the public the opportunity to view the art galleries, do some shopping, taste the fine cuisine that the restaurants in the South End have to offer. The artists above the 450 Harrison Avenue galleries leave their studios open for people to view their work and learn about their techniques and art process. The objective of First Friday is in line with the mission of our gallery of making art accessible to all. These First Friday are sponsored by the SoWa Artists Guild, a non-profit association of studio artists.

With all the new galleries and stores that just opened, this First Friday in particular is sure to be a success with lots of people and high energy. “It's a wonderful time to view the different galleries and do personal research on what you might like, without feeling the pressure of a quiet gallery, ” said our owner and director, Abigail Ogilvy. We could not be more excited for people to come see our show currently on view. Often artists show up to talk about their works too. This Friday, we have the privilege of one of our artist’s Katie Wild coming to ours. Refreshments will be served outside our building too. You do not want to miss out!

Tuesday, November 3, 2015: Lacy Tell