Worlds end

Malcolm McLaren (1946-2010)

A surrealist by default

Leonor Fini (1908-1996)

Leonor was like no other woman, like no other human, or other species for that matter. Hers was a natural allure and distinguished bearing. Then too, she was intelligent in ways that only she could be - Arlette Souhami, Galerie Minsky




Douceur, 1960
Watercolour on paper



L'Infante, 1978
India ink, lavis and gouache




Hélène, 1985-86
Watercolour, India ink, and lavis on paper




From Portrait of an Artist: Leonor Fini by Chris Vermorcken, 1987



A woman should live with two men; one more a lover and the other more a friend - Leonor Fini



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Now playing: This Mortal Coil - Song to the Siren
via FoxyTunes

Visual revolutionary

"If you know yourself, you are doomed."

Such was the attitude with which legendary designer and photographer Alexey Brodovitch, the long-time art director of Harper's Bazaar, approached each new project and transformed graphic design in the 20th century. Brodovitch was known foremost for his work on Harper's, but his legacy extended far beyond the magazine's pages: as a teacher in Philadelphia and New York for some five decades, he inspired dozens of young photographers and art directors who would go on to become famous names themselves, including Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Robert Frank and Lisette Model. -
Alexey Brodovitch by Kerry William Purcell



Oh, of course he was a good designer and a superb typographer and had an innate sense of elegance about space, but his layouts were done only as approximations. He stood in the middle of the room and, with a scissor, cut out photostats which he taped to a piece of paper. Others later straightened them. It was communicating an idea, a mood, a criticism that he was precise and masterful. - Henry Wolf, Brodovitch’s successor at Harper’s Bazaar, commenting on Brodovitch's unique approach to a layout.

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Now playing: Rickie Lee Jones - Magazine
via FoxyTunes

Some are just born with it

Mr Isaac Hayes, the man who defined cool, has died.



Sam & Dave performing the soul classic Soul Man, which was written by Isaac Hayes and his songwriting partner David Porter.

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Now playing: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
via FoxyTunes

Yves Saint Laurent est mort

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Now playing: Dead Can Dance - De Profundis
via FoxyTunes

Room for Joey

Joey Arias

Inspiration comes in many forms. Performance artist Joey Arias, is one such form. His manipulation of his image and his voice is both mesmerising and haunting. Should Hollywood decide to remake Shanghai Express, one could certainly see him in the role of Hui Fei, originally played by Anna May Wong. Given his remarkable interpretation of the legendary Billie Holiday and his notable performance as Joan Crawford, one would imagine his rooms would reflect the exotic 1930s.


1988 Performance


The upcoming sale at the St. Charles Gallery would provide the perfect furnishings for such rooms. Rooms with turquoise glazed walls, that is.



Opposing Pair of Louis XV-Style Fruitwood Recamiers, third quarter 19th century, each with a padded and raised end, joined to the cushioned seat by a downswept back and framed side, raised above a floral-carved apron on cabriole legs ending in scrolled toes.


Gainsborough Silk Weaving Company's Camellia


Monumental and Stately English Carved Giltwood Overmantel Mirror, in the style of William Kent (English, 1684-1748), modeled as two Corinthian columns supporting a large broken-scroll pediment, with a reticulated giltwood inner frame centering an oblong broadly beveled plate.


Regency-Style Giltwood Bench, the large padded rectangular seat raised on six pineapple-form gilded feet.

Isabella Blow Tribute

Style can be created only at a risk, it is a form of courage, it is an exposed and often indefensible position -
Edwin Denby