Since 1878, the Salmagundi Club has been holding an exhibition featuring solely works in black and white, making it the institution's oldest continuous running exhibition. The show was initiated by original Salmagundi member artists, many of whom were illustrators. At the time, many of the exhibited works would go on to be published in the growing popular magazine market of the late 19th century.
Aki Kano, Peony I, graphite, 14 x 11"
This year’s juried exhibition and sale carries on the tradition at the club’s historic New York City location from January 7 through 24. The show will feature roughly 80 black-and-white or monochromatic sepia drawings, graphics, photographs, paintings and sculpture by the club’s top member artists.
On view will be works like Jean Marcellino’s powerful charcoal rendering of the bronze statue of Atlas in New York City’s iconic Rockefeller Center; and Aki Kano’s delicate floral in graphite, Peony I. Another skillful work in graphite is Jaivin McCoy’s detailed portrait, Eternal Gaze. Photography will also be showcased, including Willy Airaldi’s 10 Eggs, in which the mundane is elevated into a work of fine art.
Jean Marcellino, Atlas, charcoal, 27 x 21"
“The spirit of this exhibition is the recognition of the livelihood of Salmagundi,” says the club's president William Jobson. “Black and white was not an artistic choice, rather it was a way of life for our early members. Those illustrators, with ink, pencil, charcoal or by engraving or etching, controlled line and contrast to give color to media that excluded color. This was their work. It was a bold statement to express, ‘This is us and this is the way we do it.’ Those members welcomed challenge, and we answer to the challenge of working that simple palette to bring imagery perhaps more impactful than with color.”
An artist reception will be held in the club’s Skylight Gallery on January 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. —
Annual Black and White Exhibition
January 7-24, 2025
Salmagundi Club
47 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10003
(212) 255-7740, www.salmagundi.org
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