The sad-clown painting functions as a sort of postmodern joke: an ironic gesture that dives into bad taste while subtly nodding to art history—the clown’s origins can be traced back to the stock character Pierrot of the commedia dell’arte, after all. Wesley Martin Berg’s paintings of clowns are informed by this tradition, but he also imbues his subjects with a solemn grace.

Olsen Gruin gallery first opened its doors on the Lower East Side less than a year ago. Since then, it has already outgrown its original space and is relocating to a new gallery space on Orchard St. that is three times the size of the current location. Olsen Gruin Gallery is the collaborative venture of Tim Olsen and Emerald and Adrian Gruin.

OLSEN gallery is pleased to announce Juz Kitson's That which provides safety and the possibility of growth, that which you can put your trust in, 2017 has been selected as a finalist in the 2017 Wynne Prize.   

Image: Juz Kitson, That which provides safety and the possibility of growth, that which you can put your trust in, 2017

"This installation is a heady mix of artefact and disturbing viscera, a kind of contemporary shamanism, playing with representations and perceptions of the human and animal condition." "The universal language here represents the outsider versus the insider, acceptance and isolation, connection and displacement ? a theme that is constant in the lives of people living in remote areas, though is ultimately united by the human condition." "The juxtaposition of inanimate materials is suggestive of the cycle of life. It also creates the sense that the work is alive, in an ironic way, as all living things decay." Juz Kitson, 2017 The Wynne Prize winner is to be announced on Friday July 28th 2017.

Congratulations are in order for Alan Jones for his selection as a finalist in the 2017 Wynne Prize for his painting Painting 218 (The Domain), 2016.
"This landscape is a reflection of everyday life. It depicts a walk that I took to the Art Gallery of New South Wales with my son. It had just stopped raining and the sun was reflecting on the wet trees and pathway, creating a silvery light." "I enjoyed experimenting with collage to produce this work. It is one of the more abstract landscapes I have produced. It felt free from formal constraints. I worked quickly and intensely on each assembled piece. Applying thin acrylic washes to raw plywood added an element of unpredictability and immediacy, like working in a sketchpad."
Alan Jones, 2017

The Wynne Prize winner is to be announced on Friday July 28th 2017.  

The gallery wishes congratulations to Sophie Cape, finalist in the Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize for Awake, O Sleeper.
Image: Awake, O Sleeper, 2017 soil, bulldust, blood, charcoal, acrylic, oil, pastel, graphite, ink on canvas 169 x 213cm
The Ravenswood Australian Women?s Art Prize is an annual prize that was founded to advance art and opportunity for emerging and established female artists in Australia. The winner will be announced at the exhibition opening on 4 August, 2017.

Olsen Gruin is pleased to present “Sharing Country” curated by Adam Knight. "Sharing Country" show cases works by leading contemporary Aboriginal artists from the most remote desert communities. Featured artists include Sandy Brumby, Tommy Watson, Joseph Jurra Tjapaltjarri, Iluwanti Ken, Puna Yanima, Tuppy Ngintja Goodwin, Womens Collaborative, Barbara Moore, Tiger Palpatja, Witjiti George, Minnie Pwerle, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Kathy Maringka and Liddy Napanangka Walker.

Congratulations OLSEN GRUIN on being featured as #10 in Artnet's 30 hottest group shows to visit in New York this summer.

'Sharing Country' curated by Adam Knight continues until July 23 at 211 Elizabeth Street.

To view the full exhibition, please visit the OLSEN GRUIN website here.

This weekâ??s Art Break takes groups as its theme. Group shows are a great way to learn about a culture, an art movement, a topic, or a new way to bring art to people. Our downtown pick this week is the full experience in one place: a brilliant display of Australian modern art created by Aboriginal artists. Visit this and our other picks for free â?? youâ??ll have a great time and come away with a new understanding of the power of art.

Group show season is upon us. That annual rite of summer, the group exhibition, has hit galleries all over New York. If the wide selection seems overwhelming, rest easy. We’ve scoured shows across the city to provide this helpful guide to the best of the bunch. Enjoy! 
Click here to read full article

Stephen Bird’s upcoming exhibition Bastard Son of Royal Doulton is currently featured in the MAY/JUNE issue of the Ceramic Review. Inga Walton reviews the launch of of the show in Australia before it heads to the UK.

“Bastard Son of Royal Doulton represents the wry, irreverent and sometimes pugnacious output of Stephen Bird.”

Talking art education with Laura Jones, Steven Alderton and Andrew Frost. 

Watch the full episode on http://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/the-mix/2017-05-20/the-mix/8543842