Inside the Gallery

SEPHORA

2011-12-17T12:01:00.000-08:00

After months of preliminary drawing and designing, weeks of cutting and 5 days of installation, the Andrea Mastrovito + Sephora collaboration is complete and on display in the 5th Avenue and 48th Street store in Manhattan.

To describe the experience? Amazing! See the video and visit our home page for a complete installation view courtesy of Jane Kratochvil's excellent photography.

A Bit of Advice

2011-08-05T12:29:00.001-07:00

I recently was asked by Adorama to write about what it means to distinguish yourself from another photographer. How to Narrow your Vision and Find a Voice addresses those issues.

I recent got back from The Silver Eye Center of Photography in Pittsburgh, PA. Ellen Fleurov runs a great program there and I had a great experience teaching a workshop on gallery relationships with artists. Love Pittsburgh.

2011-03-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already seen it, checkout the NY1 interview with Henry Leutwyler for his current exhibition: Neverland Lost - A Portrait of Michael Jackson.

This Thursday, the gallery will be hosting a talk with Henry Leutwyler "in conversation" with Hollis King. The program begins at 7 pm with a wine reception and book signing to follow. Seating is limited.

And the winner is....

2010-12-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

As many of you are visually well versed in the antics of Thomas Allen and his photography, you may not realize that he has often been asked to do commissions for several publications including the beloved Harper's.

Thanks to the vision of Stacey Clarkson, the pair's creative collaboration has earned them the SPD Award of Excellence.

Stay tuned for further creative outings from this team sometime soon in the New Year.

We have scheduled a show for Thomas Allen to kick off the fall season of 2011. What will he think of next?

Some Like it Hot: Aperture Summer Party Benefit

2009-10-28T14:04:00.001-07:00

Aperture hosted a wonderful benefit party. There was even a band, The Willowz. It was a blast.

Tom Allen also donated a limited edition print for the occasion!

Sage Sohier

2009-10-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

Sage Sohier
Six-Year Old Boy with His Mother, Facial Nerve Center,
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, 2008
24 x 20 inch Chromogenic Print

Sage Sohier's project About Face is a photographic series on reconstructive surgeries at the Facial Nerve Center at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. Sohier takes a documentary approach to her photographs of the patients before and after the reconstructive surgeries, while containing an element of intimacy between her and the patients. Six-Year Old Boy with His Mother has been purchased by the Museum of Modern Art.

Andrea Mastrovito at the Museum of Arts & Design

2009-10-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

Andrea Mastrovito is just one of the selected artists commissioned to create a site-specific installation that displayed the wide range of art forms paper can take on. Located on the lobby ceiling of the Museum of Arts and Design for their exhibit Slash: Paper Under the Knife, Mastrovito's paper installation depicted Christopher Columbus's ship battling through stormy waters. Among Andrea Mastrovito, and alongside his exhibit Love is a four-letter word at the Foley Gallery, Daniel Alcalá and Tom Gallant have also contributed to MAD's examination of the diverse use of paper as an art medium.

Good Times with Lise Sarfati and Mitch Epstein

2009-10-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

Last week, Sasha Wolf and I attended a delightful talk at Christie's with Lise Sarfati and Mitch Epstein moderated by Susan Bright. The panel discussion was great...and there was wine. Two talented photographers, art, and wine. What more could you ask for?

Lydia Panas in February!

2009-10-21T14:50:00.000-07:00

Foley Gallery is proud to announce the upcoming exhibition for Lydia Panas' stunning series The Mark of Abel. Her portraits explore the psychological complexities and intricacies that are inherently wound throughout the lives and relationships of people and its affect on later relationships. While some of her subjects assume natural positions, others are wary of the presence of a camera. The interactions between the people and between the camera subconsciously unfold the defining manner in which one wants to be viewed.

The opening reception for Lydia Panas will be on February 4, 2010.

12th Night

2009-07-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Twelfth Night in Central Park? It's a little late if you haven't, but the production of The Bacchae is set to start on August 11th. My advice on waiting 7 hours on line is...bring a dog. Natasha was a like a magnet for all good things...including Mimosas from my neighborly friends Sarah & Carrie.

And please...give the guy with the flute a little change. He will mumble little angry words if you don't. I think he's a nice guy.

Breakfast with the Mayor

2009-07-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know what you're thinking. A carboard cutout of the Mayor. But, there I am with Mayor Mike Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion back in June. I was invited along with 20 other small business owners from Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen to share breakfast in the early morning hours. It was a surreal event. Pancakes and fruit salad. A little bacon on the side (none for me, thanks). As interesting a personality as he is, the real meet was with Amy Scherber from Amy's Bread. It was perfect timing, as I was just preparing to do my research on opening KOFFIE (more details soon).

Andre Sie

2009-06-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

a view from the Light & Sie gallery

I just received the news today that Andrew Sie passed away. I met Andrew several years ago when I was doing the Photo SF fair. He introduced me to his good friend Stanley Light from Dallas and we quickly became friends. Stanley acquired some work of Thomas Allen that day. I could never imagine that several years later they would open a gallery together in Dallas, Light & Sie and that they would extend an invitation to Tom to show at there.

When Andrew came into town, I always dined well. He did his restaurant research from his computer in Dallas and then he would take me to the newest restaurant here in New York, always a hot spot. Not from being trendy, but by serving fantastic food. He was a great friend and inspired me here to raise the bar with my own gallery. I will greatly miss him. It is a loss to the community. He was a creative mind and had a keen awareness for talent. A gentle soul and a spirited friend.

Openings

2009-06-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

I am a little late with this post. Tonight, we are headed to Daniel Cooney and a quick stop at ATM. From last go around, we had a nice adventure. We started on Wednesday at the Museum of the City of New York for the opening of the Dutch Photography show. Honestly, I got as far as the patio. It was such a RARE beautiful night in our rainy nyc spring and the exhibition hall just too attended. There was plenty of room to meet most of the photo world, all seeming to be in attendence. I was met with the "Dutch Ambassador," Rifko from the Witzenhausen gallery. After, a nice talk with Amy Arbus, I exited stage left and headed to see Mary Stuart. If you haven't already, go see it.

The next day it was quite a scene on our floor. The new addition to the 5th floor, Sputnik gallery from Russia, were having their grand opening. Specializing in Russian photography, they are a welcome addition. A few doors down, Witzenhausen opened with the star from the Museum's Dutch photography show. Amazing work and everyone was very intent on getting as CLOSE as they could. Perhaps this is a little too close!

I then traveled to Daniel Cooney (who has another opening tonight). Dan and fellow artist (and my evening's dinner companion) Carrie Levy were right in the thick of things to begin. Tonight should be a special night there with many of my favorite local photographers on the wall or at least leaning against the wall with glass in hand.

Dolly's well worn boot was dealt a lager wash. But really, who would notice...? Well, she did and I did and the camera quickly reappeared before the suds got all soaked up...in the leather and to the sock.

On the street, a new site and not a mirage (although I was a little wobbly at that point) was the food cart from Le Gamin. Also seen, Naomi Harris and Darren Ching form Klompching Gallery. Alway a good sight and the light was particularly kind that night.

The opening spree ended nicely with guest bartender Lori Nix at ClampArt. Packed as usual, but always worth the squeeze.

Some Like It Hot!

2009-06-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Tom Allen has been in town the last few days to help celebrate the Aperture Foundation's first Some Like it Hot! Party. What a Night. Allen was seen throughout the evening with his brand new flip phone...hoping to post the movie sometime soon!

Foley & Allen on our first cocktail of the evening, but not our last.

Christina Caputo and Thomas Allen

Many attendees including John Cowey, Brian Clamp, Denise Wolff and Gerald Slota.

Wilson & Katz Opening

2009-06-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

It has been a few weeks, but thought these photos still have shelf life from our opening for Sarah Wilson and Colby Katz. The exhibition runs until the end of July.

Sarah with Darren Ching.

A visit from fellow NYU alum Hank Willis Thomas joins Colby at the opening.

Sam showing off her freshly minted and originally designed tattoo with fellow dealer Sondra Kitchen.

The two stars for the evening say 'night.

Thomas Allen

2009-02-14T12:53:00.001-08:00

Tom Allen is enjoying a lot of attention at Ogilvy right now. Curator Jun Lee has chosen 10 significant photographs to exhibit at Ogilvy headquarters on 49th Street. Art Director Dustin Copleand blew everyone away with his hand cut book sculpture that projected Thomas Allen's name in shadow form. This workt is used on the poster to announce the show. Unbelievable.

The Village Pet Store

2008-10-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

Much discussed and well traveled at this point, but you have until Midnight Friday October 31st to stop by at this Banksy created installation on 7th Avenue and Bleecker. Not to be missed. The pictures here will not really give things away, the special treats await you inside. Pure genius.

At Work

2008-10-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

Cal Lane has been working all summer long on her now opened installation at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park . Her steel sculptures of manipulated oil drums reach epic heights on the terrace just off the museum's second floor. Although not permanent, the installation is slated to be in place for at least two years. The DeCordava is a beautiful museum, nestled in a hillside in Lincoln, MA. Well worth the drive, especially at this time of year.

Standing Room Only

2008-10-20T11:13:00.001-07:00

A group of over 75 art enthusiasts streamed into the gallery on Saturday to hear Casey Ruble speak about the work in her current exhibition. It was a pleasure to once again host a group on one of Raphael's art tours. I know how selective he can be.
You can read a wonderful interview with Casey Ruble on Art Slant and also find her work posted on Cool Hunting this week. The exhibition closes on November 15.

Pittsburgh, PA

2008-01-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

I received the call this week that confirmed the Martin Klimas exhibition at The Andy Warhol Museum. The exhibition opens March 22nd and will feature between six and eight photographs...hopefully including the one pictured as framed expertly at Color Services in Needham, MA.

Miami Heat

2008-01-19T08:39:00.001-08:00

It's been a little over a month since the marathon week in Miami. The gallery represented twelve artists at the fair and visitor attendance started off with a visit from Bill Mindlin and Dolly Meieran from PHOTOGRAPH in New York. Bill and I certainly seemed to be thinking along the same wardrobe lines...Miami gave us a chance to show off our summer suits in January.

Note the two beautiful Chris Scarborough drawings to the right. I Look forward to his show here in April along side photographer Jessica Dimmock.

Speaking of showing off, the gallery has been invited to participate in ShowOff, a contemporary art fair held this October in Paris. Situated conveniently near FIAC, the third installment comprises 40 international contemporary art galleries. We are thrilled to be a part of this event.

Foley Gallery at Aqua Wynwood

2007-11-30T14:20:00.001-08:00

Foley Gallery is happy to announce that we will be participating in the Aqua Art Miami in the Wynwood district of Miami. If you are in the Miami area please come and visit us at booth number 3. General information is as follows.

grand opening & preview
Tuesday, December 4, 5-8pm
the preview is free & open to the public

fair dates:
December 5, 12-5pm
December 6, 7, 8, 11am-7pm
December 9, 11am - 4pm

general admission $10
admission ticket is good for the whole week at both venues
free admission with Aqua VIP pass or Art Basel VIP pass

On Press and on the Wall

2007-11-17T13:32:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago, Michelle Hinebrook and I took a trip to up to New York Press & Graphics in Albany to print Michelle's catalogue. Between the unlimited supply of Mountain Dew's in the fridge and a very fun dog, we had a great time and walked away with a handsome catalogue. Her exhibition opened November 1 and remains on view until January 5th.

Thomas Allen Uncovered

2007-11-10T16:01:00.001-08:00

It's hard to believe (actually, not really) that I haven't posted since July! I guess it was just a very long birthday celebration that brings me now to November. On the cusp of the Miami Fair and coming down off a great opening for Michelle Hinebrook and Doug Keyes here at the gallery on November 1. Instead of unleashing all news at once, I need to backtrack a little....

The Thomas Allen monograph has been out now for a little over 2 months and a 2nd printing is underway. That was quick. We do have some signed first editions here available for sale.

Tom's book was on press with Goose on the Loose Goose. A nice pairing (so to speak).

Thomas Allen on Cover of Fine Books and Collections Magazine

2007-07-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

This just in! Thomas Allen's image "Stranger" is appearing on the cover of the July/August issue of Fine Books and Collections Magazine. We are very proud of Tom. You can check this publication out at Barnes and Noble and other book retailers.

Long Overdue

2007-05-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

A big long overdue thanks to Jonathan LeVine for hosting the event of the year, Ruas de Sao Paulo, at the Hiro Ballroom. This event which coincided with his gallery exhibition survey of Brazilian Street Art, was a great way to show off the talent that this city has to offer. Foley Gallery artist Alexandre Orion comes from the same generation of street artist and it was so good of LeVine to bring that work to NYC. Long overdue.

Great hanging out with Jonathan and Joyce.

PowerHouse

2007-05-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

For the third year in a row, I participated in the PowerHouse portfolio review. The event is held in their large Arena headquarters in DUMBO. What a space! This year was incredibly well organized and the morning pastries provided to the reviewers were as good as ever.

I enjoy doing these portfolio review events for several reasons. First, it gives me the opportunity to see at least 12 new artists who work with photography in some fashion. Second, it's a great way to catch up with a whole host of colleagues...thanks to Tom Gitterman for letting me hitch a ride to the event. Third, the pastries.

I was incredibly fortunate this year to meet Kent Rogowski who shared his work with me. His project, BEARS, has just been released by PowerHouse books and I have scheduled an exhibition at the gallery to open June 21. I found the work to be incredibly intriguing and confounding all in the same view. I look forward to the show.

Bonus for me: I sat between Larry Fink and Stephen Frailey during the day. Thankfully, the reviewers are seated alphabetically!

PDN

2007-04-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

Much to my chagrin, I have been chosen to be one of PDN's "Players" in the upcoming May issue. Part of this entails being photographed. I thought I could submit a casual digital snap, but the folks at PDN sent over the big lens of David Leventi. This was a first for the gallery and certainly for me. David was so cool with me and put me right at ease. As easy going as I am, being photographed usually turns up the tension knob. Looking forward to seeing the results...not just of my photograph (please...) but the spread which will feature several gallery artists including Polixeni Papapetrou who will have a full page backdrop in the contents page.

Kereszi

2007-03-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

Bopped on over to the Lisa Kereszi opening on Thursday at YRG. A big turnout as I expected, but what did surprised me was the selection of work. A selection of newer (2006) and older (2002) work of very stark interior and exterior environments, it's Kereszi at her most distilled. Stop by, let me know what you think.

Another show not to miss is Ben Donaldson at Jen Bekman Gallery in SoHo. Ben has covered a lot of territory in his career in addition to turning me onto the camera I use for most of these shots - CASIO Exilim. The show he has up now is one of my favorite slices from the pie of his career. Photographs of individuals while under hypnosis. Yes, it's as good as it sounds.

One night out

2007-03-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

It started innocently enough at Yancey Richardson Gallery, my alma mater. Bart Michiels and I met up to contemplate the new work of Helen van Meene. Great show, see it before it closes on March 17th.

We met up with Jessica Backhaus and Pepper and a nice volley of conversation ensued.

Vinegar looked on from his perch...

On to Trestle on 24th and 10th Avenue. I really like this place for a good glass of wine and conversation. I met the photographer Maura Sullivan there for a little bit of both. Things were going along just fine when in came trouble...Gerald Slota!

Actually, it's fun trouble. Before long, I was wearing a kimono and the hostess, Sara, was rearranging my flowers very delicately. Sara had such patience with us, thank you Sara. Not only did Gerald take this photo, you can see the real Slota work at the George Eastman House right now.

Natasha

2007-02-15T12:59:00.000-08:00

"Where's Natasha"?...that's what one recent curator said when he came by the gallery one Saturday. For a dog that makes rare appearances here at the gallery, she has quite a following. I had wanted to rescue a dog for at least a year at that point and I knew it was high time to visit the shelter on 110th. It was love at first sight and I know right then and there I had my gallery dog.

Well, I tried everything for transportation with her. A basket on the front of bike - she jumped out. A pet trailer for the back of my bike - she jumped out. A cab - she loves cabs, but a little too costly everyday. I even thought about buying a car to get her here. Fact is, she is just a little too rowdy to be here quite yet. When she settles down, she will be here, by my feet, doing her best to illicit those "isn't she cute" sales.

Sugimoto

2007-02-10T14:19:00.000-08:00

What a rare treat to see and hear Sugimoto at the Guggenheim last week. He is so thoughtful, reverent. Everything is so precise and exacting. From his early seascapes to the mathematical forms, there is so much integrity along with experimentation. Not without a sense of humor, he showed a couple of self-portraits circa 1972 complete with hippy/shaggy hair and a can of Budweiser. I remember reading an interview with him in W magazine several years ago where he certainly didn't deny experimenting with psychedelics. I also seem to remember him saying he owned a VW campervan at one point...

Big Red Wine

2007-02-02T15:40:00.000-08:00

The decision that I was about to make called for a conversation over a glass of German Pinot with my friend Kelly. I've known Kelly for about 11 years now, meeting back in San Francisco. She is a remarkable woman who completed the graduate curatorial studies program at Bard. She is now the kick-ass director at George Adams Gallery just one block away.

We visited Trestle and parked ourselves squarely at the bar. The wine was poured and the conversation flowed. For the last few weeks I have been trying to figure how to integrate my program in a way that makes sense. I have primarily been known for my history in dealing with photography. I introduced works on paper and now sculpture as of late. I just wasn't sure if it all made sense to me, let alone to the people visiting. Should I just stick with photography? "But I love painting, drawing & sculpture!" Should I alternate back and fourth between photography and another medium? "But isn't this too confusing?" Well, over just ONE glass of wine, we came up with a solution. More later...

Demolition Derby

2007-02-01T14:27:00.000-08:00

I was pleased to attend the opening night festivities at the Museum of Arts & Design last Wednesday. Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting as curated by David McFadden featured an arresting installation by Cal Lane. The show was previewed by the Village Voice and reviewed by both the NY Sun and The New York Times last week. In each publication an image of Cal's was reproduced. Wow! Three in one week. way to go Cal!

Smoking in LA

2007-01-26T15:27:00.000-08:00

There is just something about lighting up in LA...it just doesn't fit. It's all seems so healthy and green in Santa Monica. That's why I take the rare occasion to. Bummed one from Paul Amador and it was a nice cap to a long day at the fair. Special shout out to all the new people I met (you know who you are) for making it a fantastic five days.

It was refreshing to have the gallerist from Gualala (say that 3 x fast) Paul Kozal in the booth. Never see him enough and he has been a fair buddy over the years. In fact, I even worked with him at Edward Carter Gallery so many years ago. Flanked by a couple of Tom Allen's, we enjoyed a sweet meal at Broadway Deli where I always seem to end up on Saturday night.

Pepper from YRG rests his sad dawgs in my booth as well. My former work partner, we dubbed ourselves "Salt & Pepper," because we worked so well together. What a team. We also had a third, "Vinegar," but that's a whole other story.

New Kidd in Town

2007-01-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

If there is a bigger fan of Allen's work than me, it's Chip Kidd. He's been eyeing Allen's work since the fall of 2004 and since has used his images on three different James Ellroy book covers that were reissued by Vintage. The recent Zoetrope (published by Francis Ford Coppola) was "guest designed" by Kidd using over 30 of Allen's photographs cover to cover. He has recently signed on to write the introduction for Allen's Aperture book due this fall. What a pair.

What a Long Night

2007-01-22T05:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, it continues, my recollection of the Thomas Allen opening. Ok, I am just back from Photo LA and I am rehashing old news, but never got to finish what I started....What a long night! The opening went smoothly, wine flowed profusely and I was able to sneak my Talisker in a styrofoam cup. It was so packed with a rainbow of characters, some literally pulling on my jacket to get my attention...probably to show me a portfolio of their latest series, "Details of Roots and Rocks." Aaaargh! Below it all was Tom's daughter just going about her business of being an artist at all costs. Watch those high heels girl!

Paydirt

2007-01-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

The Thomas Allen catalogues finally arrived...just hours before the opening on Thursday. I brought the price down to 10 bucks and that seemed to spark a frenzy at the opening. People bought multiple copies, one client buying 10! Yes, I have a few left, but will be taking a bunch to Photo LA on Wednesday.

Tom spent a long time signing them on Thursday and it looks like it got the best of him.

Preparation

2007-01-16T12:04:00.000-08:00

Having a gallery, it's not that glamerous, really. I scrub the floor, set the lights and often hang the shows myself. Not that I mind. I've scrubbed some of the best floors in the business: Fraenkel, Howard Greenberg & Yancey Richardson. It's a total experience and that's what having a gallery is about...at least when you first start off.

Pressed

2007-01-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

It was press day for the new Tom Allen catalogue: New Releases. Aah, the smell of those delightful inks churning in the big presses while Mohawk Super Fine paper is guided not so gently through. I use 1 800 Postcards and before you chuckle, they are the BEST! I was on press with the mighty print master Sebastian and overall production manager, Haim the Magnificent.

The cries of "more red, more red" were heard quite often. Sebastian is a massive man with a gentle touch. He grew quite fond of Tom's work over the course of the day and hoped to visit the gallery to see the show.

Haim and I both took a good look at the proofs and what was coming out of the press. Haim cuts me a lot of slack. It might be the 15-year Glenfiddich I slipped him last week, but I like to think he has empathy for my plight of championing my super cool artists.

Finally, there is approval and Haim pulls out this diamond studded Mont Blanc pen and I sign off on the sheet which closes out a long day. My eyes see all colors of the rainbow, but perhaps with a bit more red, more red.

As I write this, the catalogues are at the binder...at least they should be. Haim, if you're reading this, please make sure they are at the binder! I trust him, not to worry. We kick the show off Thursday night with 16 brand new images. We should be here late, at least until 9 pm, so please stop in and say hello to Tom.