A SEA in the Desert Gallery: January 2021

January 26, 2021

This is my first post since closing the gallery on Old Santa Fe Trail! Things began well in January of 2020; Jeff Bingamin came in and bought a framed etching etching series and was interested in another set (Rancho de Taos) which i promised to print for him. In February a neighbor friend and collector made a purchase, so I was hopeful more collectors would appear, but instead the "Pandemic" came. I bravely held a few small shows, ending with a really significant one featuring artists i love and admire (including two very successful ones). The gallery and i were honored by showing 7 paintings by Jerry West, 5 prints plus 2 paintings by Ron Pokrasso, new 3 dimensional work by Louise Baum, Nudes by David Rogers and Monika Steinhoff's 6 piece Cosmography (The 4 major World Religions and our imperiled Earth). Attendance of course was sparse and mostly by appointment, but it was a worthy final show I was courageous to have put on and am still proud of.

Now I will devote this blog (Socially Engaged Artist that I am) to reflecting on contemporary events and to publicize some excerpts of the book i am planning: The life and Art of Monika Steinhoff.

This Blog will also air what I believe is the truth about the 'pandemic' shared but rarely vocalized by others around the world which is: the Corona Virus is so serious because world-wide public health is so impacted by the negative effects of wireless (and many other pollutants of course). I am painfully aware that this is not a popular view because people love their smart phones so much, are addicted to instant 'connectedness' and society has made it difficult (most feel impossible) to get along without. [I pay a price: isolation.] but I have also gained a lot: a deeper more satisfying relation to Nature,

also to my inner voice, and progressive freedom from illusion.

Images: Order of placement Bottom image belongs center bottom. Next above is Upper center; 3rd is left top: 4th Right top 5th left bottom & 6th is right bottom.

About our Gallery

A Sea Gallery has gone through several stages over a 10 year period. A Sea stands for "Association of Socially Engaged Artists" which began about 2002 with meetings of artist discussing the state of art in Santa Fe as well as politics of the United States and the world at this time. Most of the artists either were or had been political activists, against war, corporate exploitation, empire, etc. and committed to honoring the earth. Over the years since that time I have thought a lot about the artists roll as mirror to a society, addressing social ills and aspirations. It seemed the Santa Fe ‘art scene’ had become increasingly commercial: ‘successful artists’ making a recognizable product for wealthy private collectors or corporations. Much of the art shown was about prestige and investment. The art I was drawn to in major art centers in the USA and in Europe was deeper and more challenging than that. While Santa Fe may have more art galleries than the current economy can support I felt there is room for one more: a gallery of challenging work supported by the artists themselves- a Collective (rather than a cooperative) as the structure is evolving. It’s aesthetic philosophy: Art is shown because of its merit rather than salability. It has an owner (Monika Steinhoff) but no profits are taken out of the gallery. Artists participate in paying expenses, gallery sitting and decisions about running the gallery. Proceeds from sales are between 50 and 70% to the artist, depending on artist involvement. The gallery is small and can have up to 10 members. It has existed at its present location in the Railyard since July 1st 2011.