Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Meyer Vaisman Biography
Meyer Vaisman is a Venezuelan-born artist whose innovative work in the 1980s and 1990s positioned him as a significant figure in the New York art scene and beyond. Born on May 23, 1960, in Caracas, Venezuela, Vaisman attended the Parsons School of Design in New York, where he honed his artistic skills and developed his unique aesthetic.
Vaisman's early work was characterized by its use of mechanical reproduction and existing imagery. He burst onto the New York downtown art scene in 1980, quickly becoming one of its brightest stars. His canvases often featured blown-up versions of commercial textile patterns, which he sometimes designed himself. This approach to art-making was part of a broader movement that critiqued consumerism and commercialization, known as Neo-Geo. The movement, which gripped audiences in the 1980s, ironically saw the art it produced become highly valuable commodities on the market.
As a key member of the "Fantastic Four," alongside contemporaries Ashley Bickerton, Jeff Koons, and Peter Halley, Vaisman was credited with leading the Neo-Geo movement. This quartet was celebrated for their departure from the dominant Neo-Expressionism of the time, instead focusing on a more conceptual and image-based approach to art that dealt with the representation of objects rather than the objects themselves.
Vaisman's role in the art community extended beyond his own practice. He co-founded the East Village gallery International With Monument, which became a legendary hub for the Neo-Geo movement. The gallery showcased emerging artists such as Sarah Charlesworth, Richard Prince, and Laurie Simmons, among others. Vaisman's gallery was not only a space for artistic expression but also a savvy business venture, as it attracted collectors and established galleries, contributing to the burgeoning Lower East Side art scene.
Despite his success, Vaisman experienced a series of psychiatric and emotional breaks that led him to a newfound spirituality. In 2000, he left New York for Barcelona after a final show at Gavin Brown’s Enterprise. This exhibition featured a life cast of Vaisman’s former therapist and a dark-colored harlequin suit made of clothing, signaling a Freudian undertone to his departure from the New York art world.
After a period of absence, Vaisman made a comeback with a show at the Lower East Side gallery Eleven Rivington. His new works continued to explore themes of authorship and self-referentiality, often exposing the wooden supports of traditional paintings, which he likened to revealing the skeleton of the artwork. This act, he believed, was an expression of humbleness, a sentiment echoed by artists throughout history, from Velázquez to contemporary figures like Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein.
Vaisman's signature and fingerprint became major motifs in his later work, using repetition to the point where they signified nothing but a gesture covering everything. This approach to art-making was a continuation of his exploration into the complexity of identity within the art world.
Despite his retreat from the public eye, Vaisman's influence on contemporary art remains significant. His work has been exhibited in key galleries and museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome (MACRO). He has also been featured in various publications and has had his work auctioned at prominent institutions.
Vaisman's journey through the art world has been one of innovation, introspection, and reinvention. From his early days as a trailblazer in the Neo-Geo movement to his later works that delve into the essence of artistic creation and identity, Vaisman has left an indelible mark on contemporary art. His story is one of a relentless pursuit of artistic expression, navigating through personal challenges and the ever-changing landscape of the art market.
Meyer Vaisman Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
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