It’s an Art Fair. It’s a museum. It’s a state of mind. It’s a gathering of the usual suspects (artists), gathered together under one huge roof for the shear enjoyment factor coupled with wonderment.

The usual suspects. That’s quite a phrase. From the moment I was able to enter with Constant Companion, I felt there they are, waiting for me to greet them. To welcome them to our fair city. To take them in from every side and feel some sense of accomplishment that I’d recognized them.

The nature of the setting was that this was not the venue for the old, old masters. No, but a sampling of bright lights of the greats of modern art was represented. Young masters, perhaps.

Among the masters of modern art, I saw Andy Warhol several times. Here’s one appearance.

Robert Rauschenberg‘s fabric collage was also well represented:

Photos by a well-respected elder, Gordon Parks, filled one gallery space.

As the present the ranks of talented contemporary artists continue to grow, some of them, too could be considered even younger masters.

Once again, a sampling of friends from any different continents, cultural backgrounds, and more (though why I separated women from men, I cannot say!) I was able visit with and admire, in no particular order.

How long ago were we acquainted with the massive assemblages by remarkable Ghanaian artist, El Anantsui (https://elanatsui.art/). I’m still drawn to the complexities of his pieces.

I’ve long been in love with the work of Yinka Shonibare, this graceful work as well.

William Kentridge is another African voice loudly heard through his visual art.

I think I had been introducted to Jeffrey Gibson‘s intricate beadwork when we lived in Oklahoma and I had the privilege to work with a number of Native American artists. It’s interesting to see how his work has expanded.

It was exciting last year to see at least one gallery from Africa in the halls of Basel. The Afriart Gallery of Kampala returned this year, again with the work of Sanna Gateja (see 1 December 2022 post for more). Gateja is a trained artist; he studied at Goldsmiths. He brings design sensibilities to his works using hand-made paper beads. I now consider him a new friend!

Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei continues to make waves. Here, a forceful use of ceramics.

Two of his “lego” paintings were said to be at the Fair. I only crossed paths with this one and wondered if the colors are ones anyone can find or did he have to special order these tiles? And, how in the world did he even conceive of an artwork like this?

Another voice heard from annually is Kehinde Wiley.

Troika, a London-based artist trio (https://troika.uk.com/), also uses objects not originally created to be works of art, very small dice.

Reality if not always probable

Ishi Glinsky (Tohono O’odham) (https://www.ishiglinsky.com/) works in a variety of media, includein painting, drawing and sculpture, to investigate traditional practices of his tribe, the Tohono O’odham Nation, as well as other North American First Nations to create contemporary homages to sacred events and customs.

The late Purvis Young, Miami’s own hero, was represented by at least one gallerist.

Of course there were many other suspects calling out to me, far to many to name or see. I expect I’ll find them again next year.