Miami Dec. 4 (US): After a pandemic hiatus, Miami’s official Art Basel gallery is back in all its eccentric glory, a dizzying roster of celebrity attendees and dozens of spin-offs already generating a buzz, including a virtual child painter and a $4 million Banksy sale.
Contemporary artist Andres Valencia’s nearly ten-year-old gallery at Art Miami has been sold out. The San Diego-based artist saw a cubist painting in his living room two years ago and declared, “I can do it.”
Actress Sofia Vergara bought one of his pieces this week, and Channing Tatum, Jordan Belfort, and artist Shepherd Ferry stopped by his booth at the Miami Art Gallery to check out his work, a Chase Contemporary spokesperson says, AP reports.
Proceeds from Valencia’s business go to the Perry J. Cohen Foundation, which supports the arts, environmental education, and wildlife conservation.
It also features the Maddox Gallery at Art Miami, where Banksy’s Charlie Brown sold for $4 million on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for the gallery said this is the first year they have a deep collection of Banksy paintings including many original works.
The prestigious annual Basel Art Fair in December attracts collectors and celebrities from all over the world. But fashion has also played a prominent role in recent years as Christian Dior hosted its first show in the US in 2019 as a sort of casual kick-off for Miami Art Week.
Louis Vuitton did the same on Tuesday night, with its first US fashion show. But the sudden death of 41-year-old legendary designer Virgil Abloh turned the show into a sad and eccentric celebration of life attended by Rihanna, Kim Kardashian West, daughter North, Yee, rapper formerly known as Kanye West, models Bella Hadid, Joe Jonas, Maluma and Pharrell. Kid Cody and Erica Badu performed after a party. Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, were among the crowd.
Chanel collaborated with artist S Devlin on a massive sculptural installation to celebrate her iconic fragrance. The fashion house acquired Jungle Plaza to create a multi-sensory experience using hundreds of plants and trees. The installation is open to the public, but several celebrities are expected to attend the VIP dinner on Friday with a top-secret performance.
Gucci is hosting a Thursday night party in celebration of Michaeline Thomas Monograph.
Alicia Keys, Lizzo, and Cardi B are also among those performing across town this week. The rapper will be launching a new line of vodka whipped cream on Saturday. After-party shows at several clubs this weekend include Migos, Meek Mill, Diplo and Marshmello.
While Miami Art Week is a magnet for serious collectors, it’s also filled with absurdities, including chicken wings studded with diamonds and gold. Yes, DJ Khaled in Miami dropped “bling wings” covered in 24-karat gold dust and edible diamonds to promote his restaurant, another wing.
There is also an 18-karat gold avocado toast on sale for $2.9 million at Galerie Rother in Art Miami.
Celebrity sightings have included Martha Stewart in a golden coat and walking stick at a Komodo restaurant, bottles of Denver Nuggets and Venus Williams all night at Pharrell’s and David Grottman Swann.
Hailey Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz were seen carrying cocktails and caviar at Papi Steak, and singer Camila Cabello was seen in trendy Wynwood Monday for her unveiling at Wynwood Walls to celebrate 14 new mural artists. and carvings.