What Sold at Young Collectors Contemporary — Young Collectors Contemporary

The Young Collectors Contemporary returned in 2019 with evidence that it had grown into the venue space and attracted a new mix of up and coming artists. WIth artists from Memphis, Baltimore, Seattle, Atlanta, and more, the art fair is building its reputation for discovering the best new talent.

52% of sold work was created by black artists. 85% of Artists of sold work represent women. One of the highest statistics for an art fair in the world.
Majority of works sold was in the range of $1,000 to $5,000.
Three editioned-prints from Adama Delphine Fawundu’s Vernacular series were available for sale, and quickly sold out at the Opening Night Party. A total of eight editions were acquired by collectors.
Ray Padron’s wooden carving, Ball Glove (2018) was added to the nexAir Art Collection.
Interior Designers for hospitality and residential connected their clients for art fair purchases and commissions for future projects.
Urban parks and spaces analyzed larger sculptures as driver for activating space and incorporating art.
Newcomer Jess Tinsley’s made her art fair debut with her ink, watercolor, and resin abstract works.

Featured

Adama Delphine Fawundu (Brooklyn, NY)

Vernacular #1, Body Language Series, 2017

Medium: Archival pigment and screen print on paper (Limited Edition 2/3 + 1AP)

Dimensions: 16x22 inches

Adama Delphine Fawundu (Brooklyn, NY)

Vernacular #4, Body Language Series, 2017

Medium: Archival pigment and screen print on paper (Limited Edition 1/3 + 1AP)

Dimensions: 16x20 inches

Adama Delphine Fawundu (Brooklyn, NY)

Vernacular #2, Body Language Series, 2017

Medium: Archival pigment and screen print on paper (Limited Edition 1/3 + 1AP)

Dimensions: 16x22 inches

“Body Language explores themes of identity and the African Diaspora, using paper as a material to distort the identity of fabrics. [My work often incorporates] hand-dyed fabric inspired by [my] paternal grandmother, Adama, and aunt of Sierra Leone in West Africa.”

– Adama Delphine Fawundu

Jess Tinsley (Germantown, TN)

Rolling Seas, 2019

Medium: Mixed media

Dimensions: 36x48 inches

“This piece is about the majesty and beauty of the world around us - in the hopes that it will inspire people to pay attention to the intricacies & majesty of the world we often take for granted. I hope it inspires thought, questions, & imagination. Each piece begins with a first layer acrylic wash, followed by a layer of heavy body acrylic paint, which adds texture and depth, and a layer of organic lines in ink. Finally, a layer of resin is added for a beautiful reflective quality.” – Jess Tinsley

Chambers Austelle (Charleston, SC)

Charlie, 2019

Medium: Mixed media

Dimensions: 20x24 inches

Chambers Austelle (Charleston, SC)

Penelope, 2019

Medium:Mixed media

Dimensions: 20x24 inches

“[In Charlie and Penelope] I am exploring the complex way in which our society views women and their relation to beauty. Inspired by fashion photography and the evolution of the roles of women, I place idealized women in isolated settings saturated with bright colors, challenging the viewer to confront the dichotomy between the perception of liberation and that of confinement.” – Chambers Austelle

Paige Ellens (Memphis, TN)

Octagonal Prism, 2019

Medium: Acrylic and ink on canvas

Dimensions: 56x56x3.5 inches

“In the last year or two, I have become obsessed with line work and using repetitive patterns. I also love experimenting with colors that work to make some sort of optical illusion. In this piece, I worked with a zoomed in photograph of an iridescent bag as a reference for my background. Overlaid, I have line work that mimics the octagonal shape. It can be seen from afar because of its size, yet up close even more can be discovered.”

– Paige Ellens

LaToya M. Hobbs

Kelli R., 2012

Medium: Woodcut on paper

Dimensions: 50x34 inches

“Kelli R. is from my ‘Beautiful Uprising Series’, which investigates the intersection of race, beauty, and identity among women of the African Diaspora in an attempt to counter negative misconceptions and stereotypes based in Eurocentric ideals.” – LaToya M. Hobbs

Jess Tinsley (Germantown, TN)

Rolling Seas, 2019

Medium: Mixed media

Dimensions: 36x48 inches

Raymond Padron (Chattanooga, TN)

Ball Glove, 2018

Medium: Oxidized white oak relief carving

Dimensions: 36x24x2 inches

“Ball Glove is from a series of relief wood carvings I began in 2017. Each of these works is enlarged in scale, yet collapsed against the wall. Referencing the body and its absence, each work is tied to a person whom I've considered a mentor.” – Raymond Padron

Courtney Khail (Atlanta, GA)

Dreams In Color: Indigo, 2018

Medium: Watercolor and ink on paper

Dimensions: 15x11 inches

“Flowers are not a new subject matter in art—from Dutch still-life painters to Warhol—artists throughout history have utilized them in their works. And while undoubtedly aesthetically pleasing, to me the true beauty of flowers lies in their metaphorical talents. Whether referencing life or death, happiness or sorrow, flowers have an uncanny ability to capture and portray the full gamut of human emotions. By altering something as simple as the composition of its petals, or as intricate as my line work, I am able to utilize that gift and tell a story through my art. Most recently I've been experimenting with using flowers to express vulnerability and self-discovery (specifically in relation to social expectations and conventions.) By combining traditional subject matter with contemporary compositions, vibrant colors, and dynamic line work, I create paintings that are delicate yet brazen- mirroring the dualities and contradictions in each of us.” – Courtney Khail

Courtney Khail (Atlanta, GA)

Dreams In Color: Orange, 2018

Medium: Watercolor and ink on paper

Dimensions: 14x11 inches

“Specifically with Dreams in Color, I wanted to explore the idea of finding and becoming your true self. The person you have always believed yourself to be/wanted to be, even if (or particularly if) you felt held back by expectations from society, friends, or family.

My work is about being vulnerable, but not weak; strong, but not cold; empowered, yet cautious. It’s about breaking free from societal restraints and having the courage to be yourself, even if (or especially if) it’s difficult—and then celebrating that person.”

– Courtney Khail