Ansel was driving. . .I was eight years old . . .watching the world fly by out the window. We were in Ansel’s old Pontiac station wagon, heading back to Santa Fe. Ansel was by nature prone to driving fast, but skilled and certainly not reckless. It was quite a shock, therefore, to suddenly be on the gravel shoulder of the road, fishtailing and dust flying as Ansel slammed on the brakes. “Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Grab the camera case! It’s under there, get that out of the way. Where’s the tripod. Film holders ! Hurry ! Where’s the light meter?!! Where’s the light meter?! Oh, no, the light’s going…” Things were flying out of the car and onto the ground as we were frantically grabbing things that Ansel needed. He didn’t find the light meter, but made he exposure based on the known luminosity of the moon – 250 foot candles. The rest, as they say, is history.”
- Michael Adams (Ansel's son)
Fall Selections showcases work from Taos to Ghana and mid-century up to the minute.
Local visitors may recognize the influential work of Florence Pierce, currently on view in Santa Fe at the opening exhibition for Vladem Contemporary, Shadow and Light. Pierce was the youngest, and one of only two women to belong to the Transcendental Painting Group in 1938. In the 70’s she developed a unique resin over mirror process that creates an emanating glow. Her piece in the gallery, Untitled (Triangle), 1985 is a sculptural wall piece, creamy in tone, suggestive of moonlight. The artist said "whites are my favorite, because I feel I've done the most with the least ... My works are contemplative. They're about stilling the mind.”
Speaking of moonlight, we are also presenting an exceptionally fine print of Ansel Adams’ Moonrise over Hernandez, N.M., quite possibly the most recognizable and widely reproduced photograph in the history of American Photography.
In contrast to these historical figures, Ghanaian painter, Cornelius Annor, born in 1990, is widely known for group portraits celebrating the vibrancy of everyday life. His work has recently been acquired by the Norton Museum of Art, Florida and the Brooklyn Museum, New York. Here in the gallery we have a large painting Black Doll, 2020 that incorporates photo collage and West African wax print fabric into a family tv scene.
Other artists featured include: Lee Mullican, Beauford Delaney, Fritz Scholder, Romare Bearden, Claude Lawrence, Marion Sampler, vanessa german, and Zanele Muholi.
