A SEA in the Desert Gallery: September 2013

September 30, 2013

Just a short message from Berlin: Lovely day with sunshine - visited Frankfurt an der Oder - much of the old Russian occupation ugliness is still there like in much of the previous east but also beautiful parks, incredible trees and water! I am sending back a group of paintaings that have not been seen in the USA due to exhibitions in Germany only. So the 4th Friday Railyard exhibit in October will focus on this `new`work. It's been a wonderful trip. Monika

September 24, 2013

Monika Steinhoff is in Berlin since 1 week. The artist visited her birthplace, Swinemünde and swam 5 times in the very refreshing waters of the Baltic Sea. In Berlin she visited the Preview Berlin, the annual international art fair. Artists and galleries from all over the world, as far as Japan and Austrialia as well as China and many eastern block countries. The art in aSEA Gallery would have made a good showing, and perhaps it will be there physically soon. Tomarrow she meets her art rep Peggy Lange in Dreseden to make plans for the future.

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.