TEFAF New York Spring 2017 Art Fair

Cy Twombly Roman notes lithographs at Galerie Bastian at TEFAF New York Spring

TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair), established in Maastricht in 1988, is widely regarded as the crème de la crème of art fairs. This fall, TEFAF came to New York for the first time with great fanfare and now their second visit this week represents the inaugural TEFAF New York Spring event. Open May 4 – 8 at the Park Avenue Armory with a focus on art and design from the 20th century through today (although there are certainly booths that include older works), it brings top international dealers from both New York and around the world to present museum quality works of all eras and genres.

Cy Twombly Roman notes lithographs at Galerie Bastian at TEFAF New York SpringI stopped by for a whirlwind peek at the VIP Preview on Wednesday to share a few of my favorite finds. In the entry section, Galerie Bastian from Berlin had a selection of the greats including this series of six offset color lithographs of Cy Twombly’s Roman Notes.

David/Nicolas Monocle Bar Cabinet at Carpenter's Workshop Gallery TEFAF New York SpringCarpenters Workshop Gallery presents the intersection of art and design, both exhibiting and producing functional sculptures. One of the highlights in their booth was the retro-futuristic Monocle Bar created by Beirut based design team david/nicolas.

Nacho Carbonell Table Cocoon at Carpenter's Workshop Gallery TEFAF New York Spring

Also in their booth was the fascinating organic and textural Table Cocoon by Nacho Carbonell, above, and the Dutch design duo Studio Job’s Pipe side table, or “ceci n’est pas une table), their clever ode to Magritte, below.

Studio Job Pipe side table at Carpenter's Workshop at TEFAF New York Spring

The art of display was acknowledged at Yves Macaux‘s booth with a bow to the Vienna Secessionists with table and chairs by Josef Hoffmann and lights by the multitalented Wiener Werkstätte member Dagobert Peche.

Yves Macaux, London, Brussels at TEFAF New York 2017

Demisch Danant specializes in 20th century French design with a broad overview of the era including architecture, art and interiors. Their space included this impressive vignette of Jean-Pierre Vitrac’s Flower Lamp, on a monumental César bronze and smoked glass Expansion Table, with Maria Pergay suede and stainless X Chairs and Pierre Paulin Élysée Floor Lamp in front of Sheila Hick’s hanging Prayer Rug.

Demisch Danant booth at TEFAF New York Spring

Also with a special interest in French post-war design, New York Magen H Gallery, designed a beautiful booth with titans of that era. Pierre Sabatier’s Tropismes brass and tin wall sculpture anchors a space including Jean Prouvé, Alexander Knoll, Pierre Jeanneret and more.

Magen H Gallery at TEFAF New York 2017At Delorenzo Gallery, a set of Rateau bronze armchairs were a standout.

Rateau bronze armchair at Delorenzo Gallery at TEFAF New York

Ruth Asawa’s beautiful untitled Hanging Spheres from David Zwirner are intricate wire sculptures with an ethereal dynamism I love.

Ruth Asawa at David Zwirner at TEFAF New York

This Bouke de Vries sculpture, Fragmented Guan Yin, at Adrian Sassoon, was already marked with a red dot by the time I saw it at the preview. Having segued from his work as a restorer to his process he calls “the beauty of destruction,” de Vries works with broken vessels to create something new.

Bouke de Vries, Fragmented Guan Yin at Adrian Sassoon at TEFAF New York Spring

An unusual ceramic from Joan Miro at Acquavella, le Voillier (The Sailboat) shows his versatility and Catalan folk art influence with charm.

Joan Miro Le Voilier at Acquavella at TEFAF New York

A very special pair of Lucio Fontana vessels, Ceramica Spaziale, were presented by Galerie Karsten Greve in St. Moritz. Though from 1949, they feel totally contemporary.

Lucio Fontana Ceramica Spaziale at Galerie Karsten Greve, St. Moritz at TEFAF New York

For a unique experience, visit the Di Donna Galleries in the historic section for their Surrealist Banquet, where they have united Surrealist and Post-War art inspired by the history of Surrealist dinner parties beginning in the 1920’s. Front and center is Dali’s Buste de femme rétrospectif, an assemblage of a nude mannequin with various suggestive additions.

Salvador Dali at Di Donna Galleries at TEFAF New York 2017

While most of the show focusses on more modern art, Galerie Chenel from Paris presented a selection of their incredible antiquities.

Galerie Chenel Paris at TEFAF New York 2017

And CAHN Gallery from Basel brought early Middle Eastern works such as these male and female idols dating from millennia BC.

Male and female stone idols from milennial BC from CAHN, Basel at TEFAF New York Spring

A contemporary take on ceramic sculpture I liked was seen in Maren Kloppmann’s architectonic Wall Pillows Blue Oval 1 at Hostler Burrows.

Maren Kloppmann Wall Pillows Blue Oval 1 at Hostler Burrows at TEFAF New York Spring

Also at Hostler Burrows is the striking glass chandelier by Swedish artist Frida Fjellman. Of dramatic size and color, the faceted gem-like structures are mouth blown.

Frida Fjellman at Hostler Burrows at TEFAF New York SpringFrida Fjellman at Hostler Burrows at TEFAF New York Spring

Another Scandanavian artist I admired was Palle Suenson, whose 1940 wall lamps were shown at Dansk Mobelkunst Gallery.

Wall Lamps by Palle Suenson at Dansk Mobelkunst Gallery at TEFAF New York 2017

Amongst the many booths with masterworks of art, I have selected just a few favorites in the paintings category. Philip Guston’s Garden, Roma from Barbara Mathes,

Philip Guston Garden, Roma at Barbara Mathes Gallery

Nicolas de Stael at Applicat-Prazan

Nicolas de Stael at Applicat-Prazan, Paris at TEFAF New York

and Thomas Schutte at Peter Freeman

Thomas Schutte at Peter Freeman at TEFAF New York

Lastly, it wouldn’t be a successful fair for me without selecting a few baubles. I stopped by Greenwich, CT based Simon Teakle for a peek. You can’t go wrong with the remarkable Bulgari snake watch (the diamond laden head lifts up to reveal the watch), an iconic piece in their collection since the 1950’s.

Bulgari snake watch at Simon TEakle at TEFAF New York 2017

 

This fabulous English antique double crescent diamond pendant on a long antique fob chain is eminently wearable!

Double crescent diamond pendant at Simon Teakle at TEFAF New York 2017

And the workmanship in this Viennese Renaissance Revival bracelet with enamel and semi-precious stones is astounding.

Simon Teakle bracelet at TEFAF

all photos by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence

This is merely a tiny look at the many world class offerings at this outstanding fair. Be sure not to miss this inaugural debut of TEFAF New York Spring 2017 – open now through May 8th at the Park Avenue Armory in Tom Postma Design‘s beautiful showcase.

5 thoughts on “TEFAF New York Spring 2017 Art Fair

  1. Looks like there was something for everyone. I would love to have gone home with the
    Twomblys or the Guston! Thanks for giving us a peek!

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