Selective Independent 20th Century at Casa Cipriani

Vibrant Luis Frangella at the Independent 20th Century, Casa Chipriani, photo by the author.

Author: Nina Chkareuli

The selective and elegant Independent 20th Century at Casa Cipriani last week warrants a selective coverage of these three works. The fair has consistently focused on 20th-century art (1900-2000), emphasizing historically underrecognized artists, a loose narrative also predominant in this fourth edition. This time, only 32 galleries were invited to share their artists and visions.

Ishiuchi Miyako (b. Gunma, Japan, 1947), a central figure in contemporary photography, stuns with the abrasive honesty of her objects, framing them through the lens of historical and subjective experiences. Bell jars of Sylvia Plath meet alchemy and urban landscapes.

Gregory Gillespie (1936-2000), Studio Still Life, 1978, presented by Forum Gallery, shows a claustrophobic, reserved interior with visual references to Arte Povera, Francis Picabia, and the Northern Renaissance. An assemblage of organic and inorganic shapes, faces, and drawings compactly placed in the interior space of an artist’s mind.

Nicol Allan (1931-2019), an important figure in the history of XX century collage, channeled his travels to Los Angeles, Paris, London, and New York into the succinct figurative yet abstract small-scale microcosms. Interestingly, reminds one of Vera Pagava (1907-1988), a French-Georgian artist who similarly brought in contrasts into uneasy harmonies.

Ishiuchi Miyako’s solo presentation by Michael Hoppen Gallery. Independent 20th Century, Casa Chipriani, photo by the author.

Gregory Gillespie (1936-2000), Studio Still Life, 1978, presented by Forum Gallery. Independent 20th Century, Casa Chipriani, photo by the author.

Nicol Allan presented by Luxembourg & Co.at Independent 20th Century, Casa Chipriani, photo by the author.