CONTEMPORARY art has seen an unprecedented rise
and rise in the past couple of decades and the whole art world has responded in
different ways.
There is no reason why established dealers in
traditional areas should shun the contemporary and I was reminded of this by an
exhibition ‘Cataste’ showing at Trinity Fine Art, for nearly three decades
renowned international dealers in the best European sculpture and Old Master
paintings and drawings, mainly Italian, in Bruton Street, W1 until May 25.
It offers understated and evocative sculptures
and drawings by Florence-born Nicola Lazzari based on cataste, the stacks of
wooden poles dotted throughout the fields and vineyards of Tuscany which serve
many functions from fencing to supports for rows of vines.
This
show by a gallery based in Mayfair and Milan in no way undermines their main
commitment to traditional Renaissance and later classic art and well
illustrates how astute and thoughtful dealers in the old can embrace the spirit
of the new.
Nicola Lazarri
Catasta appogiata all’albero Stack of
poles leaning against a tree
Black chalk on paper, 2010