HarlemLIVE

A mixture of jazz and the blues in art

 On July 10, 2008, visitors to a Harlem-based art gallery witnessed the opening of the Blues and Jazz art exhibition. The Canvas Paper and Stone Gallery appeared to be located in a typical styled Harlem apartment building with a selection of art produced by a wide variety of artists, some of who attended the opening.

Close to 50 people from different walks of life in New York City strolled around the rooms in the gallery. Its walls were lined with pieces showing in their representation, a combination of musical jazz instruments and different shades of blue. Jazz filled the air through strategically located speakers around the room.

While the visitors mingled and were served drinks and canapes, Harlem-based resident, Ken Williams, 51, said that as well as the pieces being unique and interesting, they seemed to jump out at him. “ I recognize that they could be viewed from many different angles,” he said.   Williams said that the pieces showed many different colors, fabrics, textures and styles, and on their expression told a variety of stories, such as a small wood sculpture of a male musician playing a saxophone.  “The representative nature of the pieces makes them more desirous for someone to buy,” said Williams.

An artist, Preet Srivastara, who traveled from Brooklyn came to see the exhibition not only as a visitor, but while intending to buy several pieces, used the opportunity to network.  “I love the art I see in New York City. To me it feels as if this city is the “Mecca” of the art world,” she said. Srivastara said she visits galleries as much as people go out to eat at restaurants and that this was the first time she had visited this gallery and was impressed by it. According to her, Barry Simons’ piece “Out of Cameroon” is her favorite piece because it has harmony.