And...WE ARE BACK
Discovering Nir Hod
Yesterday, I read an interesting article. That talked about how we carry the same fear and embarrassment some of us felt in grade or high school when we were worried about being “picked last” for a pickup sports game. This fear can create self-doubt and confusion.
For a similar reason, I felt stuck in finding content I thought you would enjoy, and I have been questioning my ability to make credible suggestions to you. In other words, I was having some self-doubt. I have worked through my concerns, reconciled my doubts, and realized the experiences I share are genuine and valuable. A big part of that reconciliation is the realization that I can’t suggest work for you if I don’t like it.
But it doesn't reflect negatively on my taste in art if I don’t respond to expensive art pushed by today’s art influencers and the well-known New York galleries who pay them. Similarly, for all the people who find pieces they love at “outside street art events,” I recognize my opinion has no place affecting people who genuinely like these pieces.
Ultimately, I have solidified my place in helping you advance your skills as a collector. I will do that by sharing ideas and artists who I think can expand your horizon, even if it is to recognize what you don’t like. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and placing your trust in me.
We toured the NY Armory Show this Fall; it was largely a yawner. I only saw one piece that intrigued me and was worth purchasing for our collection. It was a work by Nir Hod. He starts by painting a beautiful piece of art, and then he cromes over the entire piece. Lastly, he scapes off parts of the crome to reveal the painting below. The combination of the crome and the painting is beautiful and unique.
I found this description of him on the internet. Born in 1970, Nir Hod is an Israeli artist based in New York. He began his career in video, and sculpture but is known for his high-realism paintings. Hod studied at Jerusalem’s Bezalel Academy and New York’s Cooper Union School of Art. His work investigates old notions of hyper-seriousness and personal authenticity.
You can’t help but be drawn into Nir Hod’s pieces; so deep and magnetic is their pull. Hod’s art begs an emotional investment – or at least an investment of serious contemplation or conversation. He explores themes of beauty, sexuality, decadence, and lost innocence. Some of his work could be described as abstract, and his paintings often have a glamorous feel thanks to his use of Old Masters techniques.
This piece, created by Nir Hod in 2023, is titled 100 Years is Not Enough.
Coincidentally, we just saw another piece in Palm Beach, which was equally as beautiful, and I know he will be shown at the upcoming Art Basel Miami.
In my next post, I am proud to share the work of a Birmingham, Michigan-based artist, Andrea Tama. I have gotten to know Andrea and her husband over the last summer. I have always found good artists are brilliant individuals with great curiosity, and Andrea is no exception. We had dinner this summer; color theory was a big part of our conversation ( I learned so much, and we had a great night with Andrea and her husband, Ely). Don’t miss it!
Thanks for joining me on this journey.