By Michael Gormley
A pen-and-ink drawing of a historic Portraits, Inc. storefront in New York
About a year back while on a trip to Denver, I had the opportunity to visit the Clyfford Still Museum. I love museums and particularly those that focus on the life’s work of one artist. As do most museum goers, I enjoy wrapping up my visit with the treat of a well-stocked gift store; most offer a great selection of museum-themed artist monographs and exhibition catalogs. Being an avid book collector, nothing suits me more than browsing the stacks after viewing an inspiring show.
At the Still, I happened upon a wonderful tome on the Ferus Gallery, which operated from 1957 – 1966 in Los Angeles, California. The gallery’s roster of artists and exhibitions is legendary; it was the first gallery on the West Coast to devote a solo show to Andy Warhol and other East Coast artists including Johns, Lichtenstein and Stella. The who’s who showing of modern’s finest is indeed impressive given the gallery’s modest beginnings in a space tucked behind an antiques store on La Cienega Boulevard. Equally impressive was Ferus’ fostering of home-spun art styles and cross disciplinary projects—in short the gallery staged a “scene” fueled by a communal expression that surpassed any singular human effort. I don’t think such magic can be willed into being—though a faint facsimile thereof can be manufactured. The latter effort, a top down invention, generally results in spectacle—the unrelenting folly that defines 99% of our current art world.
I get that the art world has changed drastically since 1957—for one thing it’s a whole lot bigger and there’s serious money to be made in the gallery/museum/auction house circuit that by all intents and purposes operates as an unregulated securities exchange. I’m not sure if what is being bought and sold in that system is art or just well designed and cleverly branded products—but the point is moot because a rigorous questioning of artistic motive and expression is not driving that enterprise—or should I say bubble. Money, celebrity and power are—and from the outside looking in—it all seems rather vulgar.
Contrary to expectations, reveling in excess leaves one feeling empty or worse—a bit mad and craving for the next spectacle. There is a solution. Art that is good and beautiful fills one’s being—it aims to offer a sense of containment by mirroring back a universal imagining of perfection—that spark in all of us that is divine. I don’t mean art that “makes you happy.” That never-to-be-satiated desire clamors for entertainment—and we’re back at the art fair hunting for the next visual thrill. The sensation I’m referring to is more akin to wonder—perhaps even tinged with fear—dare I say a psychic stance charged with the realization that something exists that is both part of yet outside of one’s self—something that draws us closer to truth and leaves a distaste for temporal thrills or excitements.
The words and images presented by Ferus Gallery strove to reach this birthing field—or so I want to believe. I want to believe that the founders, and their community of artists and writers, understood that our time here is short—indeed there is so little time to produce anything that truthfully inspires a collective movement towards the imagined perfection that is our legacy.
As many of you know, Portraits, Inc. is soon to open a new gallery in New York City—hence the review of Ferus—presented here as an ideal gallery model and guide post. Like Ferus, our gallery will not be a grandiose spectacle (does the world really need another?) but rather an intimate space for meditating on art works that picture the human condition and champion its noble and heroic aspirations. There will be beautifully rendered portraits by artists you can commission, sublime figurative works to add to your collection (or inspire you to start one), and the occasional surprise objet. All will be thoughtfully curated to reflect our great collective hope—faith in beauty and the will to good inherent in the human spirit.
I hope to see you all there, questioning yet content to be a striving human soul. If you would like to learn more about the gallery, the portrait artists we represent, and upcoming exhibitions, please contact us.
Portraits, Inc. was founded in 1942 in New York on Park Avenue. Over its 70-year history, Portraits, Inc. has carefully assembled a select group of the world’s foremost portrait artists offering a range of styles and prices. Recognized as the industry leader, Portraits, Inc. provides expert guidance for discerning clients interested in commissioning fine art portraits.