Miami played host over Presidents Day weekend to Art Wynwood, a five-day annual winter event that attracted thousands of art-loving enthusiasts from around the globe. This year’s fair treated visitors to exhibits focusing on emerging, cutting-edge, contemporary and modern artwork presented by over 70 international galleries. Ranging from emerging talent to notable contemporary and modern artists, the exhibitors were widely diverse. The CONTEXT Art Miami Pavilion provided ample room for the event known for its unique approach to audience engagement. New for this year were a 1960s exhibition, a tribute to notable Miami institutions and the first international exhibit featuring works of photography artist Kevin O’Leary. All proceeds and sales from O’Leary’s exhibit went to the Perry J. Cohen Foundation. The foundation was created to raise awareness of water safety in sports and recreation.
Presented by Merrill Lynch, the exclusive VIP Preview on February 11 offered cardholders and accredited press members the opportunity to be the first to view the highly-anticipated exhibits. Attendees enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres knowing they had the privilege to experience the spectacular displays one day before the general public.
In honor of this year’s Presidential election and noteworthy among the event’s features were large printed murals replicating Bernie Taupin’s Sleeping Beauty that adorned both sides of the main entry. A British-born naturalized American citizen, Taupin expresses his reverence for the American flag in much of his work. The original Sleeping Beauty was showcased within the Waterhouse & Dodd booth. Paying tribute to a decade of revolutionary creativity and innovation, the 60s Will Blow Your Mind exhibit introduced a new generation to a genre that gave rise to a global connection among artists. Of note in the exhibit were the 1968 color screen print Flash, 11.35Red Kennedy by Andy Warhol, The Beatle Pillow Fight from 1964, considered to be Harry Benson’s best photograph ever, and Robert Indiana’s 1968 color screen print German Love. Distinguished exhibitors at the 2016 Art Wynwood fair included Waterhouse & Dodd, an international business specializing in work from the impressionist era to the present; FREDERIC GOT of Paris; London’s ARCHEUS/POST-MODERN, a gallery that features works by Zero Group, international post-war and contemporary artists; and Miami’s own Robert Fontaine, a gallery that promotes all levels of artists ranging from emerging to master.