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Starting right now and for the next two hours, DIRTY FRANK'S hosts a fundraiser for #Ukraine, which includes an #artauction featuring many #OfftheWall luminaries — among them NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD, who is painting protest-art (see above; $20 each on heavy watercolor paper) ONSITE. And, yes, your drink will also be a direct donation to the cause! As if you didn’t have enough motivation to #joinus for a Friday #HappyHour?!
A food-themed collage (and a wildly satirical one at that) is no stretch for ANTHONY MORGAN. After all, he is proprietor of the ever-popular Black Gryphon Dining & Spirits in Elizabethtown, PA. (Hence the many art aficionados, fans and foodies from 100 miles away who attended our Opening Reception!) And what better way to invite you to our closing day? Please come in from 1 PM to 2 AM on Friday and take a final nibble at the marvelous smorgasbord that is GLUE PAPER SCISSORS. The collage and assemblage invitational is a concept clearly destined to become a staple of the OFF THE WALL rotation of shows. Above all, CONGRATULATIONS to the artists — Anthony and his colleagues, ALYSE C. BERNSTEIN, DAVID BREZINSKI, JIM BIGLAN, ROBB SPATH, GREG EPHEMERA TROUT, WAYNE W. URFFER and HARVEY WEINREICH — and their collectors, who accounted for a tasty 38 SALES (11 of them Anthony's). Perhaps now a digestivo?
ANTHONY MORGAN
"Eat Eggs, Will Ya?"
mixed-media collage
75.
As our first-ever collage and assemblage invitational comes to a close this week, one of the eight inaugural GLUE PAPER SCISSORS artists stands alone in being one red dot away from selling out his work. ROBB SPATH, whose intricate, exquisite hand-cut collages have elevated this medium in our community since his summer 2017 debut in RESIST, has earned this accolade, gradually building a loyal following over the years. The artist often finds inspiration in pop culture, and although the thematic core of the five works in this show is somewhat different, a Comedy Central take on Egyptian and Roman history lies at the heart of this last available piece. Robb explains, “I tend to iconize people who move me. Sometimes my inspiration comes in an unexpected way. With ‘Arsinoe,’ it was a particularly hilarious episode of ‘Drunk History’ that moved me to put the X-ACTO to paper.” Who says a pyramid scheme can’t be funny?
ROBB SPATH
“Arsinoe”
hand-cut collage
175.
When the private diaries of ANDY WARHOL, edited by long-time confidante Pat Hackett, came out soon after his death, critics largely dismissed the entries as glib and shallow and mired in celebrity name-dropping. Think again. Gifted documentarian ANDREW ROSSI brings to Netflix a stunning, binge-worthy, six-part series, exec produced by RYAN MURPHY, that uses these diaries — what the artist says, doesn’t say and everything between each line — as a framework for exploring not just the life and times of the Father of Pop Art but every possible related subject: queerness, societal perceptions, art history, the creative process, the art market, identity and masks, race and appropriation, AIDS, isolation and relationships, feeding the fame demon, iconography and Catholicism, commissions and inspiration, the shifting lens of crtitical appraisal. You name it. And, yes, there is plenty of glitz, often aptly fatuous and empty, culled from gritty 70s and more so 80s NYC. It is an indescribable and unrelenting portrait of an at-times inscrutable genius. To tap into a creative and philosophical vein Andy would have appreciated: you can’t stop watching!
We are proud to announce our first summer juried show...since 2019. The reason for the absence of this staple of the OFF THE WALL calendar now becomes the impetus of this call for art. So please mark your calendars for our 5.12.22 DL...remember there is no entry fee...and immerse yourselves in the details of ReEmerge, our 16th Annual Community Juried Show!
Rarely in history do ALL ARTISTS—no matter how they identify, where they live, create and find inspiration—have a common touchpoint impacting their work. The pandemic was such a shared event. SHOW US with outstanding work from the last two-plus years how COVID and the future it ushers in have been reflected in your art and creative process and/or how you now think about ideas such as freedom and limitations, isolation, community, personal choices and public health.
• All media are welcome: 2D, 3D, MULTIMEDIA AND MORE.
• 2D work CANNOT EXCEED combined dimensions (height+width) of 48”; 3D work MUST FIT in our secure case.
* There is NO ENTRY FEE.
• EMAIL BY THURSDAY, MAY 12 to offthewallgallery@gmail.com no more than five (5) entries with six things: 1) high-quality images, 2) framed dimensions, 3) titles, 4) prices, 5) media, and 6) a single two-sentence statement about your work.
• Be ready to deliver accepted, wired, ready-to-hang artwork to Off the Wall on SATURDAY, JUNE 4.
Our MID-SHOW RECEPTION for GLUE PAPER SCISSORS is well underway, and we hope you are with us...or else en route! Of the dozens of artists and art-lovers who have joined us already, one group has journeyed the farthest: ANTHONY MORGAN and his friends and colleagues from Elizabethtown, PA. The artist, who owns the popular Black Gryphon Dining & Spirits, chose to shut down the joint completely today and follow his heart and his art all the way to OFF THE WALL. As much as any of our eight artists, Anthony inspired the concept for this show when we first saw his extraordinary collages 13 months ago. The story’s kicker is that Anthony wasn’t just showing us a portfolio or submitting to a juried show. At a bleak juncture of the pandemic, he was donating work to us to SAVE DIRTY FRANK’S — even though he really did not know our bar or gallery very well at all. A similar passion drives Anthony’s creative process. “When I view images, some are imprinted in my mind with the power of a metal punch, which will ‘haunt’ me until I take up the challenge to produce an analog collage with them,” he explains. “My work is an examination of these elements and how they affect me, my life and others who view them. Since my analog collages are a collection of already produced images, put together differently, it allows them to work together in a way that was never intended.” Welcome, friend! You always have a home away from home here in Philly.
ANTHONY MORGAN
“Feed or Slaughter”
mixed-media collage
250.
Our pioneering gallery has always been, since 1978, activist by nature. The last six years have reinforced this mindset, with the ideas of preserving democracy and supporting our whole community front and center. WAYNE W. URFFER has never pulled punches in speaking out against inequality and tyranny. How appropriate then that the artist’s lone piece in GLUE PAPER SCISSORS — marking his 13th outing in our space, spanning two full decades — is the most politically potent and outspoken...and is our proud Presidents’ Day post!
WAYNE W. URFFER
“Gott mit Uns”
mixed-media collage
75.
Among the diversity of perspectives and media in GLUE PAPER SCISSORS, we are particularly excited to showcase six works in a brand-new series from ALYSE C. BERNSTEIN. By cutting out negative spaces, the artist is allowing the layer of feathers below to come to life. Of course, no birds were harmed in the making of this art; to the contrary, there is an important conservation story to be told and all sales benefit ongoing environmental education efforts. We’ll let Alyse, whose work has always reflected her love of animals — in this space, dating back to the PETS juried show more than six years ago — speak to her inspiration: “I traveled to Florida in July to visit the Everglades and conduct research for a wildlife series. These bird collages are the first completed works. The use of feathers to create the birds is a purposeful reminder of the impact the plume trade had on the Everglades during the late 19th century. Fashionable hats nearly wiped out the Snowy Egret by the early 20th century until protections were put in place and bird populations began to increase.” Following in a proud OFF THE WALL tradition, which was also central to PETS, the artist is donating a portion of her sales to The Everglades Foundation (@evergladesfoundation).
ALYSE C. BERNSTEIN
“Snowy Egret”
mixed-media assemblage
200.
We had originally hoped that UNDER $100 would introduce to our community the dramatic hand-cut collage of DAVID BREZINSKI. Alas, though juried into the show, his opening salvo of bold ideas was put on hold when logistics prevented David's participation. GLUE PAPER SCISSORS has quickly changed the picture. And what a coming out party it's been! The artist also known as THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE DISTRICT has found a bevy of new followers — and red dots adorn five of his dozen collages. With our MID-SHOW RECEPTION slated for this THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 7-10 PM, David's debut promises to pick up even more momentum.
DAVID BREZINSKI
“Camera”
mixed-media collage
75.
A month and a day removed from FDR's “day that will live in infamy” is our generations’ version of the same, now one year old. But this festering enemy to democracy was — and is — very much within our borders: Americans who do not love this country despite despicable acts in its name. The truth will out (eventually). Such anarchy, led by an autocrat, has always inspired our artists to take deeply personal stands across years of outspoken shows like How Would You SAVE THE WORLD? and RESIST. Although she is brand-new to our community, CHAU NGUYEN was the strongest voice in this vein from our just-concluded UNDER $100. Her two powerful mixed-media assemblages, both of which found ready buyers, are from a body of experimental work the artist is creating about history and memory.
CHAU NGUYEN
“Unravel”
old canvas, paint stripper, oil, oil pastel,
gesso, history textbook on paper
95.
First off, we’re happy to use our subject line to celebrate hitting 1,000 followers on Instagram. It’s been seven years of organic outreach, building this audience one person at a time. Next, let’s use the same concept to point us in the direction of our first show of 2022! While the PR will be forthcoming and we remain on our NEW YEAR’S hiatus through Friday. January 14 — NO MUMMERS about our traditional break this year, since we chose to shutter for New Year's Day for the first time in our history (public health comes first) — we can give a solid hint of what’s to come. Over the past several years, there has been an exciting Renaissance of hand-cut collage and assemblage work in our space, led by the artist we are posting here, ROBB SPATH. This is one of his UNDER $100 pieces (still available for purchase at offthewallgallery.org), but Robb will have exciting new work when we hang our Winter Show, GLUE PAPER SCISSORS, on Saturday, January 15. What’s more, Robb will be in elite company, joined by six esteemed colleagues: five already well known in our community, ALYSE C. BERNSTEIN, JIM BIGLAN, ANTHONY MORGAN, GREG EPHEMERA TROUT and HARVEY WEINREICH, and one making his belated OFF THE WALL debut, DAVID BREZINSKI. Hey, shovel that coal and lay on some steam...we’ll be rolling into thd New Year in no time at all!
ROBB SPATH
“Locomotive”
hand-cut collage
90.
As we prepare to turn the page on 2021 and hang up a new calendar, uncertainty again drapes over us — a thick, choking, smog-like haze. This is not to say we shouldn’t greet each other over the next week or two with HAPPY NEW YEAR!, lift our champagne and prosecco glasses and flutes on cue next Friday, and welcome 2022 with open arms. But it leaves us still wondering WHAT'S NEXT?!? PHOEBE MURER finds it difficult to escape this New Normal/New Year's state of mind. Instead she chooses to rekindle life before COVID, Alpha through Omicron. “I dread the what the future brings with the pandemic,” says the UNDER $100 artist. “Yet, I move forward, while sharing nostalgic memories of Philly with my friends.” Hey, whatever gets us through....
PHOEBE MURER
“Laser Show”
mixed-media screen print
80.
Still haven’t found just the right present for someone special? Looking to fill in a couple of holes on your list? Tired of checking to see whether Amazon will deliver in time? HEATHER RAQUEL PHILLIPS has happily arranged the solution to your holiday worries — and she’ll add the drinks, great food and live music sure to make shopping EXTRA FUN! Artists, craftspeople and artisans from across our community are soon arriving with their wonderful wares and one-of-a-kind finds to a DIRTY FRANK’S booth right near your stool. Heather’s Mom, JEANNE — award-winning chef that she is —is whipping up some delectable trays. (Side note: alas, we probably will delay the return of February’s ComfortFest one more year.) Then on the downbeat, BOBBY LAVERNE will bring the jazz riffs to add the perfect last touch. We’re always a top destination on Sunday afternoons, but looking at this lineup (and realizing, for some, their beloved Iggles aren’t playing until Tuesday), we are definitely THE PLACE TO BE!
Our Holiday Party is in full swing! RIGHT NOW. All Friday night. And like many social activities and events at Dirty Frank's, it promises to keep going until last call. So swing by if you have a chance and lift a glass to a season that feels like old times. (Bring your vax card, of course, and we'll worry about Omicron in the morning.) VERONIKA SCHMUDE is not in the house. In fact, she is in Bulgaria writing a new chapter in her life. But before she departed, our dear friend gave us going-away presents: serving on the jury for UNDER $100 -- and leaving with us the four wonderful assemblage works her jury colleagues voted into the show. They hang together on our center column, just begging for closer inspection. Everything this artist creates draws you in and engages you. Tonight may not be the night to spend real time with them. But make sure to stop by during the festivities!
VERONIKA SCHMUDE
"Wishbone"
found-object assemblage
65.
Tonight, a couple of weeks out from Xmas, is about the time holiday parties kick into high gear. While there will still be fewer such shindigs than in past Decembers, if you venture out, you’re sure to get cornered into a conversation you weren’t up for. Fan favorite JIM BIGLAN captures the moment when we stop listening and the words being bandied about seem to lose all meaning. It’s been exciting to see the artist’s mastery of ceramics evolve over recent years, inspiring our UNDER $100 jury, already in love with the conceptual nature of the work, to single this out as our show’s BEST VISUAL PUN. It marked Jim’s second award in this show (“Wrong channel” took BEST ASSEMBLAGE), adding to his stack of OFF THE WALL accolades. Surprising though, as of this post, is that “Blah...blah” is the only award winner still available for purchase. Perhaps it’s time to put your money where your mouth is?!
JIM BIGLAN
“Blah...blah”
underglaze on stoneware clay
75.
IGGY WILL HAVE ANOTHER MANHATTAN: In the midst of our annual SNOWFLAKE PARTY, where we all gather at DIRTY FRANK’S to make hand-cut snowflakes (“hand-cut” also foreshadows our first show of #2022!), a gift of art rises above. ERIC LAVALLEY, who recently purchased some rockin’ UNDER $100 art from NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD, received an early ICON holiday present, which the artist custom-made for her collector: The Godfather of Punk, IGGY POP, in all his glory. Pretty cool…and pretty wild! (And, hey…BTW, where are those REAL snowflakes?!?)
Often we post from Dirty Frank's in the wee hours. More frequently it's first thing in the morning. But why not share the art of UNDER $100 just as many of us -- the more responsible, reasonable sorts perhaps -- are winding down and getting ready for eight hours of good sleep? SPACE PUNK would be quick to endorse the notion, and her first painting -- hopefully, of many -- in our space is just what the hour demands. "I offer an ode to comfort," the artist explains, "exploring both the metaphorical and literal symbols of comfort." Nighty night!
SPACE PUNK
“Bed 1”
oil on wood panel
60.
Eight summers ago, our juried show BUT IS IT ART? asked artists across our community to apply their creativity to unconventional materials and unexpected approaches. Some were forced out of their comfort zone. Others were right at home with the assignment. JEFF THOMAS clearly falls into the latter category. His paintings, which eloquently drape memories over clothes hangers, have been the toast of several shows, including our 2018 AUTUMN INVITATIONAL and the 2017 edition of UNDER $100, where he shared top honors. This time around Jeff returns with one painting, joined enthusiastically with two new out-of-the-box sculptures, which use timber blocks to conjure canine figures. As a dog lover who famously lives in a log cabin of his own construction — in Northern Liberties (!) — the artist is once again very much at home. Bark twice if you love these inspired, inspiring pieces...and please visit them in our 3D case!
JEFF THOMAS
“Block Dog #1” and “Block Dog #2”
stacked wood blocks
approximately 14” high
95. each
Every year since ‘92 we’ve proudly hosted the mother of all holiday craft shows: TRAVELING WARES! We even took our pioneering tradition (flattered by its many imitators) outdoors last year. All the same, it will be best back inside DIRTY FRANK’S 1-7 PM SUNDAY 12/5, affording you a chance to hop from booth to booth…and back to the bar, where HEATHER RAQUEL PHILLIPS will be pouring your favorite drinks. Holiday shopping doesn’t get much more festive — and amazing, one-of-a-kind gift ideas are rarely more plentiful. More than a dozen artists, artisans and craftspeople, including TW founder JODY SWEITZER, will offer usable, wearable, hangable, totable, lovable items, all available for purchase. And it’s worth saying that the backdrop is our UNDER $100 show, which has notched more than 40 sales, meaning a diminishing amount of great art is also up for grabs. Come early for the finds. Stay as long as you can for the fun!
No hard knocks here. We seemingly have it all at our fingertips. And if the Cyber Monday sales didn’t start sometime over the holiday weekend, they are really hopping now — each of your fave online shopping spots trying to one-up the other. It’s a little too much, especially for advanced life forms, like the aliens landing in the Grand Canyon, according to this fantastical digital work from THERESA BRAUN, which earned an award by tickling the jury’s FUNNY BONE. The ETs are out of here, and so are we. You probably ought to check your inbox. No doubt you’ve missed a bunch of messages by now....
THERESA BRAUN
“Beam Me Up”
digital collage
60.