In 2007, Peter Doig saw his prices skyrocket, due to an auction in which his “White Canoe” sold for $11.3 million, several times over the presale estimate of $1.5 million. Overnight he became the most expensive living European artist. The following year, Tate Britian mounted a midcareer retrospective. Doig discusses how he has had to block out thoughts of the sudden spike in prices to stay focused and successful creatively. Recently, Michael Werner Gallery inaugurated its new Mayfair gallery with a solo show by the artist. Prices range from $250,000 to $3 million.
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Scottish painter Peter Doig speaks about his life in Trinidad as he prepares for his upcoming exhibition, New Works at Michael Werner Gallery in London, opening  this September 27th. Doig, who moved to the Caribbean island ten years ago, discusses his “hoarding” of images, and how this enables him to combine mental pictures in his work. The Scottish artists works have sold for up to £6 million, making him at one time the most expensive living painter in Europe.

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Marcel Broodthaers, Les Portes, 1969. Vacuum-formed plastic, hand painted, 192 x 178 cm. All images courtesy of Michael Werner Gallery.

Currently on view at Michael Werner Gallery is Marcel Broodthaers “Major Works.” The exhibition marks the second this fall of Belgian conceptual artist Broodthaers, who began his career as a poet before turning to visual art at age 40. Stemming from his roots in poetry, Broodthaers’ visual practice involved playful, provocative juxtapositions of word and image, poetry and object, language and art. His work is varied, dabbling in appropriations, film, image and text combinations, and mixed media installations he called decors.

The artist found inspiration in the Surrealists and American Pop artists, citing influence from Oldenburg, Segal, Mallarmé, and Magritte. Unfortunately, the artist’s career was tragically cut short when, a mere twelve years later, he succumbed to liver disease on his 52nd birthday. However, he leaves behind an astounding number of works, many of which have had a profound impact on future artists, including Richard Prince, Rachel Harrison, Philippe Parreno and Tino Sehgal.

Marcel Broodthaers, Dites Partout Que Je L’Ai Dit (Say Everywhere That I Have Said It), 1974. Parrot under bell jar, audiotape, 2 framed works. Variable dimensions.

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Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner

Michael Werner Gallery on the Upper East Side is currently presenting artist Sigmar Polke’s:’Lens Paintings’.  The exhibition features new works by Polke.  Sigmar Polke’s career spans 40 years of radical innovation in painting.  Each of the twenty six paintings on display is one of a kind.  The conceptual frame work of these paintings is grounded in theories set forth by Johann Zahn in his 1685 book, ‘Telescope’.  According to Zahn, every luminous object in the universe varies in appearance depending on the viewers position.  This theme is reflected through the various interpretations of each of the images in this show.

Art in Review – Sigmar Polke [New York Times]
Overview-Solo show: Sigmar Polke [Artfacts]
Lens Crafter: Critic’s Notebook [The New Yorker]
Michael Werner Gallery Exhibitions [Michael Werner]

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