A year or so ago, Altamira Fine Art had its first opening. The show was notable for three reasons: 1) Altamira’s space wasn’t completed, and the opening took place at what was then the Oswald Gallery; 2)The show belonged to expressionist John Nieto; 3) Nieto’s new work was new and totally re-energized, revved! It was the freshest, most exciting Nieto exhibit in recent memory.
Once again, Altamira Fine Art welcomes master contemporary artist John Nieto, and his newest show of works, Forces of Color and Spirit. The show opens July 1 (fireworks of color appropriate for a pyrotechnic holiday!) and runs through July 14. An opening reception takes place July 1, 5-7:00 pm.
Nieto’s comprehensive new book of the same title features more than 180 color plates of works defining the life and career of Nieto, a ground breaking legend of an artist. Nieto originated a style of painting widely emulated, but never matched, by countless contemporary artists. The book is described as “lavishly illustrated.” Nieto will be on hand July 2, 1-4:00 pm, to sign copies of his book. Forces of Color and Nature , written by Susan Hallsten McGarry, includes 179 pages and features Nieto’s twenty-five painting series exploring the chromatic persona of Sioux Chief Sitting Bull. Collectors will find a chapter on limited editions and documentation of Nieto works.
Altamira Director Mark D. Tarrant says the gallery is privileged to represent Nieto and share this new exhibition. Nieto is widely regarded as one of America’s most accomplished, dynamic and exciting contemporary artists, says Tarrant, pointing out that Nieto’s work concentrates on themes that transcend mere representation. Nieto’s intense primary colors and bold use of paint “create both dimension and character on the canvas. He is truly an American master.”
Nieto’s portraits are striking, but in addition to loving the Wolf, count me as a huge fan of his Feather Dancer paintings. Filling the canvas with energy, dynamic swirling, arcing paint strokes, Nieto’s dancers cut powerful abstract compositions into each canvas surface. These works make my heart pound and my pulse race. Here, footsteps of Native American spirit and the totality of earth’s primal music ring.
Like his buffalo, bears and coyotes, Nieto himself is a symbol of survival. Every work embraces what Nieto knows is the spirit of life. For information, email [email protected]
Item #2:
On Thursday, July 8, NMWA will hold a special reception to open its summer exhibitions: Karl Bodmer’s Western Wildlife: Original Sketches from the Joslyn Art Museum, Travels in the Interior of North America: Etchings by Karl Bodmer, and Wild New Ways: Maurice Sendak’s Animal Kingdom. The evening includes actor Jeffrey Bratz’s portrayal of Bodmer and atalk on Sendak by Patrick Rodgers. AND, the inaugural winner of the new Bull-Bransom Award will be announced.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. www.wildlifeart.org!
Item #3:
Two artists relatively new to Jackson’s contemporary art scene will be featured at Teton ArtLab, occupying studio and exhibit space on the top floor of the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts.
Victoria Reynolds and Jeff Brown open their joint show at the Lab on July 2, (First Friday) 6-8:00 pm.
These artists, painters both, “explore the challenging realms of abstraction,” says Artlab Director Travis Walker. Jackson’s contemporary artists often thoroughly explore the natural world, down to the tiniest microcosm; the examination and reproduction of nature’s forms lend themselves to abstract work and can be fastidiously detailed.
Reynolds currently hails from that creative West Coast hub, Portland. Her works are “frenetic, map-like images on wooden panels using oil, pencil, and other mediums.” By contrast, Brown, a Jackson artist whose recent Pearl Street Bagels show came close to selling out, creates “labyrinths of line.” This is Brown’s Artlab debut. The show also features a series of Brown’s etchings created in collaboration with the Artlab.
For information on this show, you have permission to contact the artists directly. Victoria Reynolds: (203)-249-5766; Jeff Brown: (251)978-3194. (Victoria, you have a Connecticut area code; where are you from in the Nutmeg State?)
Tammy Christel 
