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For me the BEST part of the San Francisco Tribal and Textile Arts Show in February was this special exhibit in the entrance of Festival Pavilion! A preview of top Fijian works to be opening at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the fall of 2019 titled “FIJI- Art and Life in the Pacific” from the collection of Mark and Carolyn Blackburn. Look at the Scale of that MASSIVE Fijian Sali club!
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(Text & photos by: Michael Auliso)  Another great Parcours has passed us. We invite you experience a part of it from an insider's POV. This event is always a high point on the calendar for all of the major global players in the tribal art world. Our review is tardy this year and a lot has changed in Paris since this September event. We are seeing the biggest civil insurrection in Paris since 1968. The violet rebellion was caused by Emmanuel Macron imposing a "carbon tax" on fuel to help counter climate change as part of the Paris Climate Accords. As I write this the citizens continue to demonstrate. Although the European economy is not robust, and likely headed into recession, astute collectors continue to buy. That said, it doesn't feel like we are in an overall thriving market with an abundance of enthusiasm. There were 65 exhibitors this year. New exhibitors included: Joe Loux (San Francisco), Runjeet Singh (Warwickshire UK) and Renaud Monteme'at Art D'Asia to name a few. The list of dealers not participating over last year were numerous and included: Philippe Lareemans, Michael Evans, Joaquin Pecci, Galerie Dartevelle, RB Gallery (Roger Bourahimou), Donald Ellis, Salon, and Didier Claes. I understand that pre-sales were generally good as dealer's best clients showed early to buy. An interesting dynamic with this fair is always "buyer psychology" which favors the dealer beforehand and then quickly flips, favoring the customer after the fair begins. In other words the buyers feels more compelled to make an early purchase, fearing a favorite piece may not be available once the crowds enter. However, after the fair starts, the buyer is more reluctant to commit since he can now shop, compare and scan all the competition.  The fair is so well polished and thought out now that I truly don't think it can be improved upon. I'm talking especially about the espace tribal venue space of Tribal Art Magazine which included an impressive exhibition and rich program schedule of lectures!  espace tribal Exhibiton: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique". They largely duplicated the exhibition of African and Oceanic Art originally held at the Galerie du Theatre Piqalle in Paris in 1930 (regarded as a landmark event of the first half of the 20th century in Paris). The event was originally organized by Charles Ratton, Pierre Loeb, Tristan Tzara, Pablo Picasso, and Andre' Derain! A retrospective book was published for the espace gallery exhibit "Galerie Pigalle African Oceanie". Charles-Wesley Hourde helped organize and curate the 30 piece artwork exhibit together with Tribal Art Magazine and Nicolas Rolland.  Thomas Murray giving a lecture for his new book Textiles of Japan.  Thomas Murray giving a lecture for his new book Textiles of Japan.  espace tribal Exhibition: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique": A New Caledonian mask.  espace tribal Exhibition: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique". I loved that Papuan Gulf Elema archers shield.  espace tribal Exhibition: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique".  espace tribal Exhibiiton: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique".  espace tribal Exhibiiton: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique".  espace tribal Exhibition: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique". James Willis (San Francisco) standing next to a New Guinea Iatmul skull hook.  espace tribal Exhibition: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique".  espace tribal Exhibition: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique".  espace tribal Exhibiiton: "Pigalle 1930, retour sur une exposition mythique". New Ireland Malagan figure. LAUNCHING INTO THE GALLERIES  Interior David Serra Fine Tribal Art. Jean Fritz (Sotheby's) talking with David Serra. Interior David Serra Fine Tribal Art. A janus Lobi figue and a Dogon equestrian figure-- part of his exhibit "Mas de Uno". Interior Michael Hamson Oceanic Art. An ancient Karawari River figure (left) and a favorite piece of mine, an early Papuan Gulf Elema tapa mask.  (rue Jacques Callot) Bernard Dulon looking at the camera, Mia Van Bussel (right).  (rue Jacques Callot) The bold red Exterior of Galeria Guilhem Montagut Dogon exhibit.  Galeria Guilhem Montagut  Galeria Guilhem Montagut  Bruce Frank Primitive Art (Bruce Frank Primitive Art) New Guinea figures.  (Bruce Frank Primitive Art) Opening night and a fashionista in a 1970's orange suit!  (Wayne Heathcote gallery) His brother in law Volker. Wayne was unable to attend, recovering from leg surgery.  (Wayne Heathcote gallery) A Vanuatu effigy.  (Wayne Heathcote gallery) Maori house figure.  Nast A' Paris (Francis et Isaac Reveillaud)  (Exterior window display- Evening) Entwistle For me a part of Parcours experience, is studying and looking in the gallery windows at NIGHT. I think it is cool when they leave their lights on so you can see some of the Gods and Ancestors resting. A quiet reflective time to absorb more and summarize the day.  (Entwistle) New Ireland Uli figure  (Entwistle) Fijian ula clubs of amazing quality.  street art  Yann Ferrandin (Yann Ferrandin) Admiralty Island Canoe prow and a New Ireland Malagan figure (right)  (Yann Ferrandin) Philippine Bulul figure. I love these so I always photograph them.  (Galerie Patrick Frohlich) (Galerie Patrick Frohlich) Fragment figure from a 19th c New Ireland Uli figure, Stone-carved New Guinea Sepik Bat sculpture.  (Voyageurs & Curieux- Jean-Edouard Carlier) Window display of Santa Cruz Island objects featured in his new book "Les Enclaves Plolynesiennes". That "Z" shape painted boomerang-like implement is a dance object (quite rare). (Voyageurs & Curieux- Jean-Edouard Carlier) A PNG Ramu river figure next to a squatting ancestor figure from Bartle Bay/ Milne Bay New Guinea. New Guinea Sepik Drum (right)   (Julian Flak) Next to and elegant and early Northwest Coast Tlingit Oyster Catcher Rattle.  (Galerie Flak) Northwest Coast Tlingit Rattle (Ex. Jacques Kerchache).
(Text & photos by: Michael Auliso)  (Charles-Wesley Hourde') A fantastic New Zeland Maori post figure "poutokomanuwa". My very favorite piece in the fair. (Charles-Wesley Hourde') A Dogon figure and a Papuan Gulf Tapa Elema mask.  Restaurant exterior graphic Art- Rue De Seine  (Galerie Alain Bovis) Never any photos allowed here but this was taken from the sidewalk. Nice exhibit titled "Quintessence".  (Farrow Fine Art) Exhibiting at 3 rue des Beaux-Arts usually occupied by Thomas Murray.  (Erik Farrow) Marquesas Stilt Step, pair of Batak figures and a Dayak skull.  Joe Loux and Brant Mackley exhibiting together. (Joe Loux) Philippine Bulul figure. (Brant Mackely) Northwest Coast Tlingit bear clan dagger.  (Joe Loux and Brant Mackley) Head fragment from a large Vanuatu Ambrym Slit Drum.  (Joe Loux and Brant Mackley) Joe Loux from San Francisco was exhibiting for the first time and had a successful fair.  (Galerie Schoffel de Fabry) This impressive early New Guinea Iatmul men's house sculpture was her catalog submission.  (Galerie Schoffel de Fabry) This whimsical art glass rabbit sculpture on display was by an artist named Claire Zeisler. Its body covered in porcupine-like quills.  Galerie Franck Marcelin  (Galerie Franck Marcelin) A nice selection of New Caledonian objects on display. (Galerie Franck Marcelin) A New Caledonian stone hatchet and Apouema Mask which was his feature catalog piece.  (Galerie Franck Marcelin) Group of New Caledonian Clubs.  (Galerie Franck Marcelin) New Guinea female squatting figure.  Woods Davey (Collector and Artist) and David Rosenthal (Dealer)  (Galerie Renaud Vanuxem)  (Galerie Renaud Vanuxem) Did not appear in the catalog again this year but I forget him. (Galerie Renaud Vanuxem) An ancient encrusted Philippine Bulul figure and equally old Lobi figure (right).  (Mingei Japanese Arts) A truly OUTSTANDING and captivating exhibit! Titled: "Supernatural Cranes, Squelettes, Fantomes et Demons". Easily one of the best exhibits at the Parcours and a special highlight for me this year. Viewing the art conjured up visions and memories of the best Japanese horror movies of all time like "Ring" and "The Grudge". (Mingei Japanese Arts)  (Mingei Japanese Arts) Watercolor scrolls by Minagawa Tosen, early 20th C.  (Mingei Japanese Arts) (Mingei Japanese Arts) Shinto and Noh Demon Mask.  (Mingei Japanese Arts) The most haunting and memorable image in the fair. Likely also the work of Minagawa Tosen.  (Ben Hunter) An impressive headrest exhibit: "Voyage Dans la Nuit: Appuis-Tete D' Afrique et D' Oceanie.  (Ben Hunter) Elegant Fijian headrest.  (Ben Hunter) A South African Tsonga (?) headrest  (Ben Hunter) A Korwar headrest.  (Ben Hunter) South African Shona Headrest  (Ben Hunter) Headrest from the North Coast of New Guinea.
(Text & photos by: Michael Auliso)  (Rue Visconti) Jim and Lin Willis talking to David Nordon (right)  Chris Boylan standing next to a large Abelam figure.  (Chris Boylan) New Guinea Yena figure.  Chris Boylan  Galerie Eric Hertault  (Dalton Somare') (Dalton Somare') Songye fetish  (Dalton Somare') Congo Vili figure  (Dalton Somare') Yombe Maternity figure.  (Dalton Somare') 10th c. Bronze Garuda, Vietnam or Cambodia.  Mrs. Vigorelli and Son Tomaso making a fashion statement at La Palette.  (Kevin Conru)  (Kevin Conru) This Zulu snuff dance baton was his featured catalog piece. (Kevin Conru) A New Guinea Trobriand Island Massim lime spatula by noted artist Mutuaga. (Kevin Conru) A New Guinea Middle Sepik sculpture with Cassoway bird (left). A strong Fang Byeri figure from Gabon (right).  African Runners hanging out in the street on rue des Beaux-Arts. A slow season finding fewer gullible people to victimize.  (Olivier Larroque) always has an exhibit worth seeing. This time it was on "Miniatures". I once asked African collector Saul Stanoff why he loved small pieces so much?-- He said, "Because the carver can not make a mistake"!  (Olivier Larroque) number 43 was a cool Fon magic fetish made from an old women's perfume bottle.  (Olivier Larroque) Most of his pieces were not in a case or under glass which can be risky. Theft is issue here. Anthony Meyer had a New Guinea coconut spoon stolen this year.  (Olivier Larroque) Darn, out of focus but still worth posting.  (Olivier Larroque) poor photo but a an impressive Cameroon Bamileke flywhisk.  (Olivier Larroque) Continued  (Olivier Larroque) Detail of lovely Songye headrest.  Street art on rue de Seine  (Jacques Germain) located in the coolest modern furniture gallery. His window graphic is his featured catalog piece- an elegant Zande Harp.  Jacques Germain and Michael Auliso (right)  Back at Jacques Germain's gallery on rue de Seine. Germain standing next to collector Anita Schroeder.  (Jacques Germain) Some great Punu masks and Teke figures.  (Jacques Germain) Very fine Kuba mwaash mask.  (Adrian Schlag) I never miss Adrian Schlag's exhibit.  (Adrian Schlag) This is what African Art looks like when it is really old.  (Adrian Schlag) Fang bust Gabon. (Adrian Schlag) Songye fetish and a Baule figure.  (Adrian Schlag) Dan Mask  (Adrian Schlag) An ancient Bamana Ntomo mask.  (Back at Serge Schoffel's gallery) Nice presentation and plenty of real estate devoted to this New Guinea Biwat Mundugumor flute figure. (Galerie Serge Schoffel- Art Premier) A New Ireland Uli figure and a New Guinea Biwat Mundugumor flute figure (right) (Serge Schoffel's gallery cont.) A PNG Karawari river fragment head (left), An ancient Dogon Tellum figure and a very expressive large PNG Papuan Gulf Bioma figure (far right).  (Serge Schoffel's gallery) More objects on display upstairs.
(Text & photos by: Michael Auliso)  (Abla & Alain Lecomte) Graciously taking time to pose for a photo. Their exposition was titled "Objets Medecine. Objets Rituels".  (Abla & Alain Lecomte)  (Abla & Alain Lecomte) Bakongo Dog.  (Lucas Ratton)  (Lucas Ratton) (Lucas Ratton) A fine Baule female figure. (Lucas Ratton) A Chokwe mask or Lwena mask and a Senufo/ Malinke (?) (right).  ((((( Yikes ))))) WHO CUT THE CHEESE ??  A cheese vendor on Rue de Seine boasting the STRONGEST versions ever! As you pass by, pungent wedges are growling and assaulting the senses.  (exterior) Finch and Co.  (exterior) Finch and Co.  (Galerie Indian Heritage- Frederic Rond) Above photos of his exposition "Masques Himalayens".  (Galerie Indian Heritage- Frederic Rond) I recommend a copy of his book "Masks of Himachal" Masques de L'Himachal Pradesh. (Dimondstein Tribal Arts) A Hemba stool, his featured catalog piece.  (Dimondstein Tribal Arts) A lovely Guro mask.  (Dimondstein Tribal Arts)  (Galerie Jean-Baptiste Bacquart) The "most important" Oceanic/ Polynesian objects were in his exhibit. These high caliber pieces were part of the collection of noted deceased Qatari Seikh Saud Al-Thani.  (Seikh Saud bin Muhammed Al-Thani, 1966-2014) The biggest art collector of our time.  Galerie Jean-Baptiste Bacquart  (Galerie Jean-Baptiste Bacquart) Maori peipei ritual object.  (Exterior Galerie Jean-Baptiste Bacquart) The guy on the left providing security as the crowds and interest in his gallery quickly expanded.  (Galerie Jean-Baptiste Bacquart) Notice the rare PNG Torres Strait shell mask (upper left)  (Jean-Baptiste Bacquart) standing next to a very early war canoe prow. Its rare and unusual to see a piece of this age and quality on the market. Many dealers, including me, were quite shocked and envious when seeing he had possession of Seikh Saud Al-Thani's material.  (Exterior window display) It might be hard to guess whose gallery this is? I'll tell you it is Alan de Monbrison. Based on his reputation, I found this surprisingly average for such a prestigious African gallery. Nice clubs but unimpactful for a window display to draw in customers in my view. I was declined a request to photograph pieces inside the gallery, since I would be publishing on a blog.  Jo De Buck  Jo De Buck  (Jo De Buck) Archaic old Mambila mask.  (Jo De Buck) Archaic old Mambila mask.  Charles Hourde (left)  (Rue de Seine) Outside Yann Ferrandin's Gallery.  (Back at Michael Hamson's Gallery) A New Ireland overmodeled skull and a New Guinea Middle Sepik skull.  (Martin Doustar) Exposition: "Siberia & Beyond".  (Martin Doustar) Exposition: "Siberia & Beyond". This exhibit was widely talked about and well appreciated. (Martin Doustar) Exposition: "Siberia & Beyond". Impressive and beautifully worked copper headdress and masks.  (Martin Doustar) Solomon Island female figure.  (Galerie Bernard Dulon) Exposition: Un Masque Dan et Plus.  (Bernard Dulon) Ending this show.  THE END
(Text and photos by: Michael Auliso. Supplemental photos by Anita Schroeder) Please forward and share this art experience with others who may enjoy it! Thank you |
