bG Gallery 5 Pieces

bG Gallery 5 Pieces

For July 2022, Lily Yu of Agent Art curated five artworks in five different medium categories, creating the collection Found Inspiration.

“Found Inspiration”

Thank you to bG Gallery for the opportunity to curate this show.

Each of the artists here combine imagination with the humblest materials to make the most extraordinary works. They embrace the serendipity and humor in life to create something unexpectedly beautiful out of the easily over-looked bits of ephemeral daily life: scraps of paper, wire, seeds and wood . These wonderful found art objects make us reexamine what could be perceived as mundane at first glance, and remind us there is always more to see if we allow ourselves to see it. I hope these five artworks delight and inspire you!

– Lily Yu

Wood, Japanese paper, milk paint, natural pigments, seed pods. Hand signed. 12 x 12 or 6 x 6 x 6 or other permutations.

Sono Kuwayama

Untitled (2022)

For me, this piece is about the seen and the unseen. Four miniature boxes, the size of your palm, can be opened and closed, like books, stacked and re-arranged in endless configurations. The interiors have a hidden image when assembled together – a circle made of rice paper burned from found bits of funeral incense, and in one box, a hidden cache of seed pods. Birth and death are infinitely connected. Even the pink paint, made by Sono from milk and natural dyes, suggest “Spring” and the eternal cycle of life.

More about this artist.

Ink, paper, plexiglass Hand signed and numbered 46/50. 11.75 x 15.75 in. – framed.

Jordi Alcaraz

Dues Gotes (Two Drops) (2004)

Jordi incomparably creates poetry from the simplest of materials. In this work, a drop of ink forms a vessel, a world upon itself, like the drop of “water” made from the melting of the artwork’s own plexiglass frame. The two drops are microcosms, mirrors of larger worlds, metaphors for universal relationships. As always with Jordi, also look to his fine craft for more visual surprises.

More about this artist.

Weaving shuttle and cast bronze. Signed on the base. 16 x 12 x 7 in.

Hadiya Finley

Afloat (2017)

Hadiya has a way of making achingly beautiful statements through her work. I find strength in this delicate figure of a woman made of cast bronze. Like her, we have the power to “paddle” ourselves anywhere we want to go. The boat, made from a found antique weaving shuttle, weaves back and forth, as if forming the “fabric” of a life, leaving the design up to the one rowing the boat.

More about this artist.

Wire, paint, wood. Hand signed. 19 1/2 x 43 1/2 in. – framed.

Jim Barrett

Tethered

Jim’s art always contains gems of wisdom. In a statement about “Tethered” he said, “It’s prudent to recognize one’s limitations. But it’s the kiss of death the moment you take them seriously.” This work is one of a series made from the twisted rusty bits of wire he would find on his long walks along the abandoned railroad tracks near his LA studio. The wires are for the most part unadulterated, presented just as he found them, but now arranged in a narrative that reflects his own personal story, and speaks truths about the human experience. With these wire drawings, Jim bequeaths us the gift of a glance through his artist’s eyes.

More about this artist.

Antique wood drawers, discarded books, mixed media. 5 x 7 1/2 x 3 in. each, various configurations. 

Temple Sisters

Tomes #1 and #4 (2020-2022)

Holly and Ashlee Temple are sisters who work in collaboration as creative partners making collages and assemblages. In this new series of “Tomes”, discarded books full of forgotten memories and words are salvaged, torn apart, reformed and made precious again, like the re-telling of a history. I see this “set” as a conversation, one that never ends.

More about this artist.

Los Angeles | Monterey | San Francisco
© Copyright 2023, Agent Art | All Rights Reserved

Buyer Beware! 6 Ways to Avoid Risky Art

Buyer Beware! 6 Ways to Avoid Risky Art

By Lily Yu, AGENT ART

A Talk at the Monterey Museum of Art,
June 20, 2019 | 5:30 – 7 pm 

Carmel art advisor Lily Yu will present an essential talk on art collecting entitled “Buyer Beware! 6 Ways to Avoid Risky Art” at the Monterey Museum of Art on Thursday June 20 from 5:30-7:00 pm. Lily, who is also a certified art appraiser will reveal the many dangerous market pitfalls facing collectors today. Using both well publicized examples and the most commonly found risks, this frank discussion will leave participants with a better understanding of how to protect themselves, how to recognize red flags and when to call in an expert to advise when purchasing fine art. Wine will be served at a reception after the talk and the museum will remain open for mingling, art discovery, and more discussion. Lily’s last museum lecture “How to Spot a Fake” was sold-out, so although admission is free to members, RSVP is recommended.

Lily Yu, certified art appraiser, advisor and curator, offers over 20 years experience working in the fine art world. As owner of AGENT ART she is a highly sought-after advisor to private collectors, institutions and corporate clientele. A former artist, gallery owner, gallery  director, dealer, curator and educator, Lily is know for her keen eye, passion and concierge-level of personal service. As a certified appraiser, she provides specialized appraisal valuations for 20th Century Art, Contemporary Art, and Photography which are often used for the purpose of pricing, charitable donation, estate planning, bankruptcy, insurance or division of assets. Lily Yu is a member of the IFAA, International Fine Art Appraisers and is the official art advisor to The Monterey Symphony.

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Who: Lily Yu, Art Advisor AGENT ART

What: ”Buyer Beware! 6ways to avoid Risky Art ” Art Talk and Reception

When: Thursday, June 20th, 5:30PM – 7:00PM

Where: Monterey Museum of Art
559 Pacific Street Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 372-5477

Entry:
MMA Members: Free
Non-Members: Free with Museum Admission, $10.00.

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Los Angeles | Monterey | San Francisco
© Copyright 2023, Agent Art | All Rights Reserved

Buyer Beware! 6 Ways to Avoid Risky Art

How to Spot a Fake

By Lily Yu, AGENT ART

A Talk at the Monterey Museum of Art,
February 20, 2019 | 5 – 7 pm 

Carmel art advisor Lily Yu will present a talk on “How to Spot a Fake” at the Monterey Museum of Art on Thursday February 20  from 5-7pm.  Lily, who is also a certified art appraiser will discuss current examples, including some high profile cases of art that turned out to be fake, and some assumed fakes that turned out to be the genuine article. Using real life examples of collectible art, Lily will demonstrate the steps she takes to determine whether an artwork is genuine or a copy, and participants will leave with a better understanding of what should raise red flags when considering purchasing art, and when to call in an expert to evaluate the legitimacy of art that is owned, donated or inherited. Wine will be served and after the talk,  the museum will remain open so art sleuths can practice their new found skills. 

Lily Yu, certified art appraiser, advisor and curator,  offers over 20 years experience working in the fine art world. As owner of AGENT ART she is a highly sought-after advisor to private collectors, institutions and corporate clientele. As a former artist, gallery owner, gallery director, dealer, curator and educator, Lily Yu is the collector’s crucial key to wise buying, selling, and collecting fine art. Known for building strategic and highly personalized legacy collections, her keen eye, passion and concierge-level of personal service set her above other advisors. As a certified appraiser, specialized appraisal valuations are available for 20th Century Art, Contemporary Art, and Photography. All appraisals conform to USPAP, Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, and may be used for the purpose of pricing, charitable donation, estate planning, bankruptcy, insurance or division of assets. Located in Carmel, CA , evaluations are available worldwide. Lily Yu is a member of the IFAA, and is the official art advisor to The Monterey Symphony.

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Los Angeles | Monterey | San Francisco
© Copyright 2023, Agent Art | All Rights Reserved

1,440 Portraits Emerge from a Single Ink Drawing in a New Animation

1,440 Portraits Emerge from a Single Ink Drawing in a New Animation

The humblest materials combined with imagination can make the most extraordinary things. This artist, Jake Fried, uses ink and liquid paper to make a  portrait that moves you wondrously through the landscape of his mind. No mistake here, white-out has a whole new meaning.

Buyer Beware! 6 Ways to Avoid Risky Art

The Art of Collecting Art

By Lily Yu, AGENT ART

A Talk at the Monterey Museum of Art,
October 2018 

Your personal art collection is a way of connecting to your essence. It is a manifestation of who you are, what is important to you, your ideas and how you perceive the world. It is your living legacy. It is your story.

Use these Keys to open the door to the world of art collecting and start your journey of self discovery and learning.

TEN ESSENTIAL KEYS TO ART COLLECTING

1.) Only buy what you love-This is the golden rule. Be passionate about what you buy.

2.) Don’t buy art to impress other people only – Prestige is a valid motivation , but don’t let it be the only one. If the art loses value, there is nothing.

3.) Buy original art. If not original, buy limited editions – The point here is to acquire rarity. The more rare, the more value.

4.) Buy the best you can afford – Focus on quality. Quality means the artist demonstrates a mastery of the medium. Beware, high price does not mean high quality.

5.) Don’t buy (wait) – Learn as much as you can before you purchase – look, listen, ask questions.

6.) Curate – Be selective. Build a frame for your collection, based on artist, theme, media, period, etc. for intellectual and visual linkage.

7.) Take a long term approach – Collecting is a life-long pursuit. Don’t narrow your search to one specific piece at a time. Be open and ready for possibilities and opportunities anytime.

8.) When you find what you want, check other sources before you purchase – Price is but one factor. Consider also the reputability of the source, condition, location and relationship.

9.) After you purchase…. enjoy it and don’t rush to buy the next one – Celebrate, be fully present in the moment and acknowledge your good decisions and investment in your emotional and creative self.

Finally,

10.) Live a little– Sometimes you just have to have something- If so, forget rules #1-9. You may be growing or changing directions. Take note. Art is a gift to yourself – give yourself the gift of art or to someone else!

If you would like more information or help with any or all these keys, my services are available. Please contact me here

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Los Angeles | Monterey | San Francisco
© Copyright 2023, Agent Art | All Rights Reserved