Lisbon, Portugal
studio visits welcome by appointment
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I am a self-taught (outsider/ art brut) artist born in 1947. Painting since the age of 10 years. I paint almost exclusively on paper using acrylics, oil paint, Chinese ink, oil stick, and wax. (Please scroll down for detailed exhibition history)
Painting has saved my life and I call paper my ‘co-conspirator’.
I mostly paint people. They speak, I listen.
I use various materials and the papers are the finest museum quality from all over the world. (Hand dyed papers from Rajasthan, India. Handmade papers from Mexico and Thailand. Rice papers from Japan and China. And the finest French and Italian papers.)
My artwork and philosophy has been influenced by the courageous writers, musicians and painters of the 1950's and 1960's. James Baldwin, John Coltrane, Henry Miller, Eric Dolphy, Joan Miro, Miles Davis, Franz Klein, Lenny Bruce, Jean Dubuffet, Louise Bourgeois to name just a few.
I am greatly inspired by art brut, outsider art, ancient cave paintings, folk art.
My work is collected internationally.
Exhibition
1957
Began painting seriously
1967 - 1968
Lived and painted for one year in Tangier, Morocco
Apprentice to Stuart Church: Painter and Architect in Tangier, Morocco (helping with frescos)
1970
Birth of my amazing son Adrees Ali
1970-1979
Various group shows in New York City
1985
First One Woman show.
“Jazz Themes and Berlin Memories”
Vander Stocker Gallery NYC
(funded by the government of the Netherlands)
Began a series of Live Painting Performances with jazz musicians Billy Bang, Wilbur Morris, Frank Lowe
1986
Live Painting Performance - Greenwich House Theatre. New York City. With Jazz Composer, musician: David Murray, and Wilbur Morris, Dennis Charles, Vincent Chancey
1988 - 1989
Lived and painted in Mojacar, Spain
1989
Traveled and painted in India
1990
First of my Annual Open Studio Shows. New York City
1992
Lincoln Square Gallery, Lincoln Center. New York City.
Group show. Curated by artist Carol Blank
1993
Lotus Fine Art Gallery. New York City.
Live painting performance with musician Kali Fasteau and International percussionists
"Windows on Eighth Avenue". New York City
Group show curated by Carol Blank
“A Legacy Unearthed: Reflections on the Duane Street African Burial Ground”
Curated by artist Charles Mingus lll ( I was honored to be invited to participate in this amazing exhibition with prominent African American Artists of the time)
1993 - 1994
Lived and painted in Lisbon, Portugal
1994
Galleria D’arte Moira Forjaz. Lisbon, Portugal
Group show
Galeria Imprevisto. Lisbon, Portugal - One woman show
Decor Arts New York City
Group show
1994 - 1995
Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Chelsea, New York City.
Six month long, One Woman Show (large works)
1995
The Emerging Collector Gallery. New York City. Group show
Col Legno Restaurant/Gallery. New York City. One woman show
Wares for Art Gallery. New York City. Two person show
Wares for Art Gallery. New York City. "Portraits" Group show of gallery artists
Bronx River Art Center. New York City. "Flags". Curated by artist and sculptor, Amir Bey
Wares for Art Gallery. New York City. Group show
1995
Galerie Atelier Herrenplaats
Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Group show in collaboration with Wares for Art Gallery, New York City
1996
Artful Exchange Gallery. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Featured artist : Winter 1996
Wares for Art Gallery. New York City. Group show
Bronx River Arts Center, New York City. “Cathedrals and Classrooms“. Group show. Curated by Amir Bey
1997
Cameo Appearances Gallery. New York City. Group show
Wares For Art Gallery. New York City, Group show
1998
Baltimore Visionary Museum. Baltimore Maryland. Outsider Art Show
Gallery "C"
Raleigh, North Carolina. Group show
1999
United Fine Arts Gallery. New York City. Group show
Galeria D’arte Moira Forjaz. Lisbon Portugal. Group show
Bronx River Arts Center, New York City. "911 for Mumia" Curated by Amir Bey
Cameo Appearances Gallery. New York City. "Last Dance". Group show
Gallery "C". Raleigh, North Carolina. Group Show.
2000
Simone’s Gallery. Pelham, New York
Group Show
2001
Began participating in curated Art Festivals around the United States.
Began spending winters painting in Lisbon, Portugal
2001
Gallery X. Harlem, New York City
“ World Trade Exorcisms : After September 11th"
Group show curated by Amir Bey
Inauguration of "beinganartist.com"
Brooklyn, New York.
Artist and filmmaker Ross Brodar
2001
Marilyn Wilson Gallery. Birmingham, Alabama. Group show
Fisher Galleries. Jackson, Mississippi. Group show
Avisca Fine Arts. Marietta, Georgia Group shows.
Art Alley Gallery. Birmingham, Alabama. Group shows.
Attic Gallery. Vicksburg, Mississippi. Group shows.
2007
55 Mercer Gallery. New York City
One Woman Show, "60 Odd..."
Retrospective for my 60th birthday year. 60 paintings
2019-2020
Rowan and Black Gallery. Saugatuck, Michigan. Group shows
Currently:
American Folk Art Gallery. Asheville, North Carolina
Jan. 2022
Paris, France.
Art 3f - Salon international d'art contemporain
Sept. 2022
Paris, France Art 3f Salon international d'art contemporain
Feb 2023
Madrid, Spain Art 360 Contemporary art Expo.
Feb. 2023
Portimao, Portugal Vision Art fair
Sept 2023
Portimao, Portugal Vision Art Fair
June 2024
Lisbon, Portugal Vision Art Fair