Provenance of An Artwork from New York to Spain

By artefuse On 10/02/2012 · Leave a Comment · In New York

Juan Gabarron (far right) with some guests at the opening photo by Samantha Heydt

The crowd at the 38th Street Carriage House for the opening photo by Samantha Heydt

How does a painting go from the personal archives of an artist to being part of a collection being shown in two different countries? Today’s provenance of an artwork takes on an interesting journey. Let’s look at the work Balance by Jamie Martinez.

Balance (2011) by Jamie Martinez

Origins: Balance was created by Martinez for a late September 2011 show at Orchard Windows Gallery, “I’m having trouble cutting this ballerina”. It was part of the eight piece collection initially shown. After the show, Martinez set the works aside and used selected images as the calling card for his street art. The innovative exposure led to private sales but he kept his paintings for this series on private reserve (one of the few remaining was Balance). The artist has moved on to other projects but kept the Ballerinas poised for another grand entrance.

More friends with Martinez at the opening reception

Artist & Photographer Samantha Heydt (L) & friend at the opening

Turning Point: Fast forward to August 2012 when Gabarron Foundation in honor of its 10^th Anniversary puts out an open call for artwork submission to be considered for their “Two Hemispheres” show. Martinez comes across the said item at nyfa.com. He pulls out Balance from his archives and submits it to the juried selection process. Out of 300 artworks entered, the piece was featured on Facebook where it ends up winning the Social Media choice then seals its fate as being included in the exhibition.Balance is well on its way for its fantastic journey. It becomes one of the twenty-six artworks included in the show by Gabarron Foundation.

Guests at the opening of “Two Hemispheres”

Repeat Performance: September 14, 2012 – The stellar opening reception at The Gabarron Foundation Carriage House Center for the Arts on 38^th Street featuredBalance at the second floor of their magnificent space. It has become part of their Contemporary Art Collection and will enjoy an extensive viewing in New York City before traveling to the foundation’s venue in Spain later in the fall. It is part of their mission to have emerging American artists develop a cultural dialogue with their fellow Spanish artists. Martinez is over the moon and ecstatic that one of his Ballerinas made the cut after all.

(L-R) Francis Legge, Jamie Martinez & Tracy Von Becker – Legge

From a premiere in a Lower East Side Gallery to an item on reserve then used for street art imagery to being submitted for an open call then winning the Social Media contest on Facebook to being part of a prestigious art foundation collection that will travel from New York, USA to Spain – this ballerina has got some legs on her and it’s quite a journey indeed with a colorful provenance.