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Michael Parkes (continued)

Michael Parkes initially painted in the Abstract Expressionist style, as taught by his professors, but a period of introspection led him to switch to a meticulous representation style. This allowed him to fully express his inner world of images.

Michael Parkes is a renowned painter, sculptor, and lithographer known for his magical realism works. Despite the challenging nature of the art world, he has achieved success and his pieces are sought after by celebrities, private collectors, and galleries worldwide. He has been exhibiting his works since 1977, when he had his first one-man show in Amsterdam. His exhibitions have taken place at prestigious events such as the Basel in Switzerland, Art Chicago, and Art fair NY, among others.

While he studied graphic art and painting at the University of Kansas, Parkes’ unique style developed during a period of isolation when he temporarily stopped creating art and traveled to India in search of spiritual enlightenment. His style is rooted in realism but incorporates magical elements, earning him the title of a Magic Realism artist. Drawing from both Eastern and Western esoteric doctrines, Parkes’ imagery is a fusion of various wisdoms such as cabalistic and tantric teachings, translated through his own imagination. Within his work, strange creatures coexist with winged women, the eternal battle between good and evil rages on (though it is often unclear which side is which), and entire worlds are created and destroyed in an ethereal realm, closer to the desires of the heart.

www.ftn-books.com has several Michael Parkes collectibles now available.

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Tapio Wirkkala (continued)

The masterful Finnish designer and glassmaker, Tapio Wirkkala, has graced the Netherlands with his exceptional exhibitions. However, none were quite as significant as his showcase at the Stedelijk Museum in 1976. The Stedelijk Museum showed a keen interest in Wirkkala’s work and acquired numerous stunning pieces from him and his wife, Rut Bryk. Interestingly, Bryk had her own exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum in 1970, even before Wirkkala himself. The catalogues for both exhibitions were skillfully designed by Wim Crouwel and have now become highly coveted collector’s items.

Wirkkala’s profound designs for Iittala continue to be in production to this day. I only wish I had more publications on Wirkkala and his wife, as they are quite rare. The few I have were all obtained from the Stedelijk Museum. One is a monograph while the other two are group exhibitions focused on Finnish glass and design.

Please visit www.ftn-books.com for more on Wirkkala and other great design artists.

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Ian Wilson (1940-2020)

Wilson, born in Durban, South Africa in 1940, migrated to the United States at the tender age of twenty. Early on, his creations were influenced by Constructivism and the emerging Minimalism movement, eventually culminating in the creation of “Circle on the Floor” and “Circle on the Wall” in 1968. These two pieces, composed of simple geometric shapes, were meant to be reproduced in an infinite number of ways using chalk and instructions provided by Wilson. His work engaged in a conversation with other Conceptual artists of the time, including Art & Language, Robert Barry, Joseph Kosuth, and Lawrence Weiner. “Circle on the Floor” and “Circle on the Wall” marked the end of Wilson’s physical creations as he shifted his focus to his series “Discussions” in 1968-86/1999-2020.

This series, which began with Wilson uttering a single word – “time” – was a bold statement on verbal communication. In a 2002 interview with Oscar van den Boogaard, Wilson explained, “My aim was to insert the word ‘time’ into every conversation I had, with anyone, anywhere. It was not about the word itself, but rather the effect it had on the verbal exchange.” As the series evolved, the “Discussions” were held in various institutional art spaces, inviting participants to join Wilson in exploring the concept of “oral communication.” Inspired by Plato’s Parmenides dialogues, the discussions delved into topics of “the known and unknown” and “awareness of the Absolute.” Wilson’s unique approach to art and communication continues to intrigue and inspire audiences to this day.

www.ftn-books.com has some titles with or on Ian Wilson available.

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Hans Bellmer (continued)

Born in Poland, but having spent most of his life in Paris, he led a reclusive existence and passed away in solitude in 1975. Only after his demise did the world begin to appreciate his art. Published books, exhibitions, and numerous sales followed, spanning across the globe. However, during his lifetime, he remained relatively unknown and uncelebrated due to his choice of subject matter.

It wasn’t until the final decade of his life that he gained recognition as one of the foremost surrealist artists of his time, particularly for his series of photographs on the doll, “La poupée,” which garnered international acclaim. In practically every one of his creations, his main theme centered around an erotic approach to his subjects. Themes of fetishism, voyeurism, and sadomasochism were recurrent, but the overtly sexual elements were not always immediately apparent. Often, one must analyze the composition of his work to uncover the erotic undertones within.

In 1959 and 1964, Bellmer finally received some recognition when he was invited to participate in the Documenta exhibition in Kassel.

In 1953, Bellmer began living with the writer Unica Zürn. Their relationship was a somber one, marked by seclusion and devoid of any social activities. They resided in the Hotel de l’Esperance in Paris, where Unica tragically took her own life by jumping out of a window in 1970. Bellmer passed away five years later, a solitary man. A melancholic existence for a greatly gifted artist. If one is unfamiliar with Bellmer, a good place to start is with Wikipedia, learning about his life and exploring the surreal world he has created. Our collection at www.ftn-books.com features some excellent titles on this fascinating artist.

www.ftn-books.com has a great selection of titles on Bellmer available.

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Bram van Velde (continued)

I have been working together with Koos for some time now and finally he decidced to part with his small but beautiful collection of Bram van Velde lithographs. These great works of art are now for sale at www.ftn-books.com.

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Vera Molnar ( 1924- 2023)

In 1924, in the vibrant city of Budapest, Hungary, a young and talented artist by the name of Molnár embarked on her artistic journey. At the mere age of eight, she began developing her skills, relentlessly laboring to perfect her craft. Her education led her down the path of Art History and Aesthetics at the esteemed Hungarian University of Fine Arts.

Continuing to hone her craft, Molnár had already built a substantial portfolio of traditional artwork by the time she delved into the world of generative and computer art. These innovative mediums would later become her claim to fame, earning her recognition and acclaim in the art world.

After receiving a scholarship to Rome, Molnár and her partner François moved to Paris in 1947. It was here that she would continue to thrive as an artist, eventually marrying her beloved partner. Settling into the Hungarian artistic community in Paris, the couple often frequented the bustling streets, spending evenings at the popular café, Le Select. This is where she encountered some of her greatest contemporaries, including the likes of Victor Vasarely, Fernand Léger, Kandinsky, and Brancusi.

www.ftn-books.com has several Molnar items now available.

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Pierre Klossowski (1905-2001)

Pierre Klossowski, a Parisian native, departed this world on 12 August 2001, leaving behind a rich legacy as a novelist, visual artist, translator, philosopher, critic, and even an actor. Born into a family of noble Polish descent, he was joined by his brother Balthus, an accomplished painter, three years after his arrival on 9 August 1905. One of his mother’s lovers, Rainer Maria Rilke, introduced him to André Gide, for whom he served as secretary during the composition period of his novel, The Counterfeiters.

In collaboration with Pierre Jean Jouve, Klossowski also translated Holderlin’s works. His association with Georges Bataille led him to join his secret society and contribute to the review, Acéphale. During World War II, he contemplated entering a monastery, an experience he later incorporated into his first novel, The Suspended Vocation, in a satirical manner. In 1947, he married Marie-Roberte Morin-Sinclaire, a member of the Resistance who was lightly fictionalized in his trilogy of erotic-philosophical novels, collectively known as The Laws of Hospitality.

Klossowski also ventured into the world of cinema, starring in Robert Bresson’s film Au hasard Balthazar. He even collaborated with Chilean expatriate Raúl Ruiz on two television films, one of which was an adaptation of The Suspended Vocation. In a unique twist, Klossowski played the role of Octave, his own character, in Pierre Zucca’s film Roberte, which depicts scenes from The Laws of Hospitality novels.

At the ripe age of ninety-six, Klossowski departed from this world, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and intrigue to this day. www.ftn-books.com has several Klossowski titles available.

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Hermann Nitsch(1938-2022)

The title “Blood” holds a significant meaning for the Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch. Since the early 1960s, he has curated more than 100 performances as part of his Orgien Mysterien Theater cycle. These performances, although centered around blood, are executed with meticulous care and thoughtful consideration. Nitsch directs and documents these performances, which involve naked individuals, an audience, blood, and canvases, creating truly magnificent works of art.

The performance itself is only one part of the larger art piece. The other part consists of the canvases, which are created using materials from the performances and sold by galleries all over the world. If you happen to find yourself in Vienna, be sure to inquire at the Tourist Office about any upcoming performances. And when you visit Naples, Italy, keep in mind that it is home to the largest Nitsch collection outside of Austria, housed in the http://www.museonitsch.org.

While Nitsch is known for his use of blood in his art, he is not the only one. Other artists, such as Marc Quinn, have also utilized blood in their work, freezing it into sculptures of human heads. And Eric Orr has used blood as paint for his paintings. Instead of being appalled by the use of blood in art, appreciate the beauty that can be created through its incorporation.

www.ftn-books.com has several Nitsch publications available

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Niki de Saint Phalle (continued)

Last week, I searched through a Niki de Saint Phalle book and to my astonishment, I stumbled upon these sheets that I had purchased several years ago. With a simple rub, the intricate figure transfers onto the underlying piece, similar to that of rubbing letters. At the time of purchase, I had forgotten all about these hidden gems. However, upon closer examination, I couldn’t help but notice their exceptional quality, making them an absolute must-have for avid Niki de Saint Phalle collectors. These mint-condition sheets are now available for purchase on my platform, with only 5 left in stock. To make them even more desirable, I am offering a special price of USD 15.00 per sheet, which includes worldwide shipping. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to add these rare collectibles to your collection.

Last week i ruffled through and looked into a Niki de Saint Phalle book and surprise!….found these sheets that i had bought several years. ago. You Rub over it and the figure is transferred to the underlying piece ( like rubbing letters)  I totally had forgotten about them, but looking at them closely again I noticed that these were still very special and for Niki de Saint Phalle collectors true collectables.

These rubbing sheets are now available at www.ftn-books.com

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Francis Bacon (continued)

In my opinion, Francis Bacon stands out as the artist whose exhibitions have been accompanied by the most captivating and splendidly curated catalogues. From oversized volumes with hundreds of pages to impeccable print quality, these catalogues truly do justice to Bacon’s masterpieces, often including multiple fold-out pages to showcase his iconic Triptychs with the utmost precision, just as one would experience in a prestigious museum

I have followed Bacon’s work closely over the years, and in 2001, I was particularly intrigued by the Gemeentemuseum’s ambitious exhibition on the artist, which also happened to be their most expensive and logistically challenging one to date. The plan was to have the catalogue printed in Singapore, but due to a previous commitment to the former museum director, the decision was made to entrust a Dutch publisher with the task. The initial print run was based on an estimate of the expected number of visitors, which unfortunately turned out to be significantly underestimated. Thanks to Bacon’s mesmerizing artworks, the catalogue proved to be a commercial triumph, with three editions being published and close to 8,000 copies sold in total. This success not only brought in considerable profit, but more importantly, it solidified Bacon’s status as one of the greatest modern artists of the 20th century.

This exhibition was also one of the last opportunities for art enthusiasts to view a large selection of Bacon’s works, including numerous Triptychs, all in one place. The Gemeentemuseum was fortunate enough to secure loans from both the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen and the estate of Francis Bacon, allowing for the display of a truly comprehensive collection of his paintings. It was during this exhibition that the masterpiece PARALYTIC CHILD WALKING ON ALL FOURS, acquired in the sixties, proved to be a valuable addition to the Gemeentemuseum’s impressive catalogue. In fact, the JAARBOEK even features a study by Josephus Jitta dedicated to this thought-provoking work.

www.ftn-books.com has many Francis Bacon related items available.

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