ART AND ARTISTS IN NEW YORK CITY By Arnold Ronstand
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DANIEL ILIESCU: FROM OBSCURITY TO SUDDEN FAME
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THEY ARE TALENTED, BUT NO MONEY HONEY!
Don't you hate it, when
your talent is used and misused and taken advantage of, by art agents
and galleries curators. Especially, when, deep down in your heart, you
know how good you are, and money is not coming your way? I bet! New
York City is this kind of place, where talents are discovered every
second, stars are born outside the cradle, and every day's human drama
is written. In the big apple city, talents, singers, jugglers,
hustlers, impresarios and struggling artists are everywhere. Some made
it big time. Many others scream murder. Ouch! And it disturbs me. Last
week in a New York's paper, my colleague, Maximillien de Lafayette
wrote a monumental piece on the great hidden talent of women artists
in New York City. I was inspired and motivated by what he wrote. I got
hold of his notebook (Of course, with his permission. I think so?!)
and began to contact those fabulous women artists who sell their
painting for a saddening and disturbing low price. I mean low price in
comparison to what other artworks go for, if well packaged and
professionally represented. In the New York's "Modern Woman Today"
magazine's premier issue, de Lafayette wrote "I am not familiar with
the work of Betsy Jacaruzo, May Bender, Rachel Bertoni, Michelle
Golias, Kiki Brodkin, Susan Cohen, Pat Fabysack, Hariet Hunter,
Katherine Kadish, Susan Knight, Judith S. Miller, Ellen Pliskin, Debra
Ramsey, Caren Raphael and Judy Somerville. I just
discovered their work on the Internet, and I was absorbed by some of
their artworks. So, I decided to give them an international/national
exposure in U.S. and foreign newspapers and magazines, where I am
syndicated. And I am thinking seriously in interviewing some of those
outstanding artists. The alarming part of this issue and the reason
for writing this piece IS NOT to praise their talent. But, to show my
chagrin and sympathy for these talented painters, for it is extremely
saddening to learn that their remarkable work are sold so cheap,
really cheap, in comparison to less talented artists who are making a
fortune in New York City. The dramatic aspect of success in the world
of art and business rotates around this: If you are famous, you will
make money, big time money. Talent has nothing to do with success.
FAME IS THE GAME! Can you believe, some of these lovely canvases go
for only $75.00. It is really alarming and saddening. The artists I
have selected for this issue are a bouquet of some of the most
delightful and talented painters in New York City. The most expensive
painting of this set can be purchased for $500." Judith S. Miller, one
of the women artists mentioned in de Lafayette's article wrote to him
"Thank you for mentioning me in your article. I will look for the
publication. I am assuming that you saw my work on newyorkartists.net.
If you would like to see more of my work and read some biographical
information, please look at the website of my dealer, Cheryl Pelavin,
at cherylpelavin.com. I have been working as an artist for a long time
but just Last February I had my first New York one woman show. The
prices for my work are not as low as your article suggested but they
are still low by art world standards." So, I paid a visit to the
Cheryl Pelavin site. And this is what I found: A long list of
women artists which included the wonderful and MORE NEXT |
And
all of a sudden, the press and art communities began to write and talk
about him. It took Daniel Iliescu 3 or 4 years in New York City to
make his art and his name known on a large scale. November was a good
month for Iliescu. Four articles and art reviews about his visions and
paintings appeared in a place of honor on the pages of American and
European newspapers, magazines and international online editions. The
once upon a time obscure artist became a sudden household name, and
millions of art lovers, galleries owners, artists' agents, friends and
surprised art critics had to read glowing reviews about his artwork
and did NOT know how it did happen or what to make out of it?
Sometimes, strange and unexpected pleasant things happens in life.
Some wise guys still believe, good things happen to those who know how
to be patient. And Iliescu was patient enough. He did exhibit his work
in New York galleries and had collective and solo shows. But, no fame,
money and big deal resulted from all these efforts, mumbo-jumbo art
events and exhibitions. Until, a syndicated international art critic
from France met Daniel Iliescu in New York City and became taken by
his art. The articles began, and other critics followed suit. And the
rest is history, whatever, it means. So, as we all do in the media, we
investigate, we look for hot gossips and breaking news, we dig here
and there and try to get an exclusive interview or story. So, I had to
look at this Iliescu's work and find out for myself what is the big
deal and the fuss about this sudden Romanian-American celebrity
artist. What so special about this man. And I was pleased and
satisfied. The man is a real artist. Yes, sir, he is a creative
visionary in an unorthodox manner. You cannot stigmatize him or
categorize him. He is his own league. Very different from the
contemporary ornamental and corporate artists. Equally, divergent from
the traditionalists. So? Where does he stand? What is his style? Would
you be satisfied if I tell you, Iliescu has no style. So how could he
possibly exist without a style? Only Iliescu and those art lovers who
believe in trans-temperamental art understand his enigmatic work. And
that is wonderful. For, the cynical get confused and the pompous,
presumptuous critics are left in the dark. And let it be! Daniel
Iliescu's art is powerful in its simplicity and reversibility.
