Hello Kitty, Hello Art!

Quick break from Art Basel postings to report on a show from last weekend; the Hello Kitty, Hello Art Book Release & Gallery Show at Openhouse Gallery on Broome Street, NYC.  Over a three dozen famous artists participated in their rendering of the Kitty with proceeds benefiting Hurricane Sandy victims.  There were a group of signed, numbered and framed prints in the shop area by select artists and one by fashion designer Betsy Johnson.  (See below - and yep, it looks like her too.)  The Hello Kitty, Hello Art book is also available on Sanrio.com or Amazon.com since the show is now over.   The shop sold artists tees by The Seventh Letter and limited edition holiday items.  I admit it, I was never a huge Hello Kitty fan BUT after seeing all this, I at least need to get this amazing art book.  I think I'm becoming a fan, art can do that!  Have a look...

New works were featured from 64 Colors, AIKO, Cat Cult, DABS MYLA, KC ONE, Kendra Binney, Kenton Parker, Miguel Paredres (from Miami), POSE, Niagara, Nina Channel Abney, Ron English, Thank YOU X and many, many others.

Ron English...

The Hello Kitty, Hello Art book and more....

Screen print by Betsy Johnson, signed and numbered

Again, buy the book and see it all, you'll become a fan too.  More from Art Basel and more everything next!

254 E. 10th Street WAS Art & Cultural History. FUN GALLERY Celebrated - Patti Astor Talk & Historical Book Signing!

AS promised, (a few days late due to technical difficulties), photos from Patti Astor's books signing of FUN GALLERY at Clic Gallery.  The event took place last Saturday night as Patti signed for hours and told stories of days past back at the Gallery, which she cofounded in the East Village.  The book boasts the "real story" on getting started (and flourishing), with the likes of Madonna, Fab Five Freddy, Kenny Scharf (see him below!), Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Maripol, gallery insiders and fancy collectors among many others.  Without Patti and her cutting edge gallery from 1981-1985, this scene would have not happened. She literally bought Haring, Basquiat and dozens more fabulous contemporary and graffiti artists to the forefront.  The "uptowners" actually came downtown to get in on the movement.  Can you image if you bought a Haring from her in oh, say, 1981!?

Have a look at the event and visit Clic Gallery to purchase the book -and history! http://clicgallery.com/ and visit http://thefungallery.com/, here we go....

And look who came out, KENNY SCHARF (yep, I lost it, I was bonkers!)  http://kennyscharf.com/

Sorry about the blur, a little shaky with excitement!

Now go get the book!