Katy Moran: Paintings

I first viewed the paintings of Katy Moran in London in 2006 at Stuart Shave’s then East End gallery Modern Art. I was instantly drawn into her painterly and extremely beautiful works. I could see that Ms. Moran particularly loved paintings and the sensation of painting. In her work, one can view a specific yet nonrepresentational survey of neoclassical and post-neoclassical painting.

Katy Moran  Big Wow 2007  Andrea Rosen Gallery

Ms. Moran employs varying degrees of figuration in her paintings. One might see the specific palette Eugene Delacroix used in his Odalisque, but with Moran there is no reclining woman. You may see the colors and movement of The Wave by Gustave Courbet, but you certainly will not see any water. Ms. Moran uses her signature brushstrokes to evoke elements of something finite, but leaves it to the viewer’s subjective eye to determine what that finite thing precisely is. Which is not to say she uses distortion, like Francis Bacon, for example; she deploys a similar methodical technique with a judicious use of color.

In the end her paintings feel somehow quite familiar while remaining rigorously unconfined. There are no bathers or gleaners or decorous damsels running toward a storm-swept abyss, but there is a powerful, deeply palpable presence that is universal for us all. 

Captain Beaky and His Band ll   2006  Modern Art

Lucas  2007  Andrea Rosen Gallery

 Facing Francesca   2006   Modern Art

Stinkfruit Surprise! 

Even though sometimes I can be difficult, my friends wish the best for me. They have lent me their couch, dried my tears and have traversed county lines to attend performances or exhibitions. They are good people and have the best intentions, which I shall admit here are sometimes just not good enough.

One well-intentioned friend (let’s call him John) who has listened to my tales of woe over the years noticed that I was working too hard and had also been single for a long time. He was did a great job of bolstering my ego by telling me true and positive things like, “You are quite good at sewing buttons on coats.” For some reason John decided to play matchmaker: He had a friend he thought I should meet.

And yes, I did tell John that this was a bad idea. I did say no to this fix-up plan. John did what many of my friends do. He simply ignored me and spoke with his friend who thought we would be more comfortable meeting at a party surrounded by other mutual friends.

I already didn’t like this “Mr. Plan a party around meeting me and all my glory” high maintenance man. He was already, in my opinion, trying to control me. But John was so keen for us to meet that he agreed to host the party and provide the food, which meant that I had to purchase the drinks, and the glasses to serve them in. Oh and invite my friends, a feat that makes D-Day seem like a walk in the park.

In the end, my mystery date stood me up at a party I didn’t want or need, his no-show witnessed by a room full of hungry friends. John decided it was time to prepare some food. In his small LES apartment he opened some durian, also known as “stinky fruit.”

I have nothing against stinky fruit. I know it’s revered in certain parts of the world. But I don’t like it. I’d never seen John eat or serve it previously and, needless to say, his choice of party food did not go over well in that cramped, steam-heated room. At that final straw, my audience bolted.

John and I are still good friends and I did appreciate his gesture of kindness. But even the best-laid plans should include a good caterer.

Some suggestions for dinnerware:  Broadway Panhandler, Sur La Table and Ikea. For food: Dean and Deluca (they ship!)  

Another Continent: African Style!

Everything’s been done before they say, but there’s still so much about Africa to be explored.

            – Nigerian designer Amaka Osakwe of Maki Oh

Helen Jennings, editor of Arise Magazine, has a new book, entitled New African Fashion, that is certain to spark some intrepid explorations. This survey of the myriad of styles and inspirations is as diverse and vibrant as the cultures of the continent itself. The book is filled with an exciting and beautiful array of African fashion designers, models and artists. It is long overdue.

It’s worth noting that the visionary designers Yves Saint Laurent and Azzedine Alaïa were both born in Africa. Lamine Kouyaté’s Xuly Bët and model Alex Wek’s Wek 1933 brands are also familiar. New African Fashion introduces designers who may not be household names today, but hopefully will be soon. With a forward by artist and writer Iké Udé of Arude Magazine, insightful text and stunning photography, this is a book to be owned by any lover of style.

Here are some of the dashing folks who were at last week’s launch party, held at Parlor, NYC.

Mazuba Kapambwe and a friend.

A very chic couple.

Tanzanian socialite, writer & beauty Kate Bomz!

The author Helen Jennings (center) and friends.

Blogger Rosemary Kokuhilwa of  Fashion Junkii.

A regal gentleman.

Erika Belle in front of some the fashion on display.

A stylish woman with Erika Freund of Mikuti Jewelry.

Actress and producer Sophy Aiida.