I have never been one for planning. I'm the winging-it spontaneous type. It turns out that as well as a social diary, a work calendar, a birthday book or whatever, I now need a friggin art calendar.

Art Basel Paris, I was in the Caribbean. Frieze London, I was in Miami. Art Basel New York, I was in Paris. Now it's Art Basel Miami 2024. I am sitting in London writing this blog. My Sotheby's friends DM me on Insta regularly "Are you here?" I am "here" alright. Don't even get me started on the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair. I went to Marrakech the week after it finished. I do need to get my head around the Venice Biennale that is once every four years but I don’t need to worry about The Affordable Art Fair as I don’t like anything I can afford.

The thing is, I have never taken art fairs seriously. I am a gallery girl. I like to sit silently with a piece in a beautiful room and while away an hour or so. Rothko said that he wanted a presence so when you turned your back to the painting you would feel that presence the way you feel the sun on your back. Isn't that the most beautiful thing you have ever heard?

Try and imagine that Rothko “feeling” with spotlights (god I hate them), loud chatting and a stream of fashionistas swooshing around. Friends of mine who have never mentioned art to me in their lives suddenly pop up and ask if I am going to Frieze. I politely reply, "I am away that weekend."

So, when it comes to Art Basel Miami 2024 (it's the 6th Dec-8th Dec if you want to write it in your birthday book) I know absolutely nothing about it. I do own nice sunglasses though, so maybe next year.

What I do know is that The Rubell Museum in Miami has one of the most well-curated and deadly combinations of artworks that I have ever seen. I loved every piece. I spent four hours there, I didn't want to leave.

Vanessa Raw's outstanding work is at The Rubell Museum during Art Basel Miami this year. She is represented by The Carl Freedman Gallery in Margate. So you can fly to Miami instead of popping down the road to Margate, don't get me started on that, it is a whole other blog piece. Her work is deeply human and incredibly honest she is up there with Tracey Emin. I am a massive fan of Vanessa.

Here are some of the outstanding pieces I saw at The Rubell Museum:

1 ”Bird on Money” 1981 - @basquiatofficial
2 “Soundsuits” 2008 - @nickcaveart
3 “Rumble” 2005 - @mickalenethomas
4 “Service de Luxe” 1999 - Cecily Brown
5 “Boat” - 1954 - Zhu Jinshi

**Cecily Brown - Service de Luxe - 1999**

Some of the pieces from Perez Art Museum:

1 Zeh Palito - Black Mona Lisa 2022 @zehpalito
2 Richard Serra - Casablanca 2022 @richard.serra
3 Hayv Kahraman - Bends 2020 @hayvkahraman
4 @calidagarciarawles - On the other side of Everything 2021

5 @_alfonsogonzalezjr - Bling Nails on Cesar Chavez 2022

The Bass is another gallery I would like to visit. There is also Wynwood and the Design District. Miami has become one of the leading global art capitals. It’s a fun place to visit and great for winter sun. I mainly eat dark chocolate edamame beans from CVS whilst I am in Miami the food is so expensive, they are really good.

Miami, I will be back but I am not sure what dates though (I need a PA). If I am honest, I have a tiny bit of FOMO for the first time in my life.

Much Love,

Julesx

*Cover photo: Alamo Square - San Fran

The Art of Miami

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