The Art Elevator

In this episode we speak with returning guest Tanzy Ward, who is a scholar, book author, educator, antique jewelry dealer, & historic preservationist. Her book publications include Hidden Legacies: African Presence in European Antiques and Unsung Portraits: Anonymous Images of Black Victorians and Early 20th Century Ancestors. Her second historical non-fiction book Unsung Portraits was selected as a 2022 Contingent Book List Award for Historian Authors. 

Tanzy's passion for Black material culture and heirlooms has presented her with the opportunity to be featured in critically acclaimed exhibits, including Yale University's 2022 show Allegories, Renditions, & A Small Nation of Women. 

Tanzy's connoisseurship training includes the Asheford Institute of Antiques and she is a proud member of the Asheford Associate Membership Program & The American Society of Jewelry Historians. Her expertise and scholarship have been featured in various decorative arts and jewelry publications, including National Jeweler. 

In this episode we discuss:

-       The inspiration and process of writing her second book

-       Tanzy’s scholarship, and how she actively engages with artifacts of self-representation in portraits, in fashion, and in jewelry to illuminate and give voice back to individuals who haven't always been included in historical scholarship

-       Tanzy’s philosophy about being a conduit to steward the perspectives of "unnamed ancestors" as she describes them in her book

-       How she utilizes modern platforms like Instagram for positive educational impact, creating beautiful content that also shares hidden stories

-       How Tanzy’s work has expanded into new historical eras such as Mid Century Modern with her "Modern Black Glamour" themed posts

Links mentioned in the interview:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanzyward_antiques/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanzyward/

Books:  https://zanathiajewelry.com/collections/tanzy-ward-books

Zanathia Jewelry:  https://zanathiajewelry.com/

Tanzy's first episode on The Art Elevator Podcast: https://www.larissawild.com/podcasts/the-art-elevator/episodes/2147617546

In this episode of The Art Elevator Podcast, Sarah Reeder and Larissa Wild speak with Vanessa and Alexander Wendl of Toad Atelier on their exhibition at Larissa Wild Fine Art: Selections from the Toad Atelier Collection. This show will feature 35 rare artifacts from their collection of over 3,000 objects that highlight the history and impact of mid-century modern design.

Through this discussion, Vanessa and Alexander delve into their collecting journey, share their collecting philosophy which centers on three core principles: preservation, sharing, and enjoyment, and highlight how sharing their collection brings joy and fosters connections with like-minded individuals.

The episode is rich with anecdotes about specific pieces in the collection, such as the large-scale photograph of a New York scene and the Herman Miller Collections prototype catalogue. Alexander shares his profound connection to Irving Harper's work, explaining that Harper's creative process and the calming nature of his paper sculptures serve as a source of inspiration for Alexander's own artistic pursuits. The Wendls emphasize the therapeutic nature of creation and the importance of engaging with art for personal fulfillment and relaxation.

Alexander and Vanessa's story serves as an inspiring example of how passion, preservation, and creativity can come together to create a rich and fulfilling journey in the world of art and design.

In this episode, Aubrey Catrone explains the importance of provenance, defining it as the history of ownership of an art object from its creation to the present day. She highlights the necessity of distinguishing between stated and verified provenance, emphasizing the need for supporting documentation.

Aubrey discusses challenges such as the rapid pace of art transactions and the importance of trusting sources in the art market. She advises collectors to proactively ask for documentation, conduct risk assessments, and digitize their records. New technologies like blockchain and AI are explored, with Aubrey noting their potential and limitations. She outlines the three-pronged process of verifying authenticity through scientific testing, provenance, and connoisseurship.

And the part we love most: Aubrey highlights the emotional and historical connection that provenance provides, enriching the collector's experience and deepening their connection to the artwork.

Aubrey Catrone is an international art historian, appraiser, and provenance researcher. Aubrey earned an MA in the History of Art from University College London, specializing in the documented histories of art objects. With an art gallery and academic research background, Catrone founded Proper Provenance, LLC to provide her clients with the tools, not only to historically contextualize art, but also to shed light on attribution and legal title within the international art market. She is an Accredited Member of the Appraisers Association of America with a specialization in Impressionist & Modern Art.

Catrone has researched artworks including paintings, artefacts, works on paper, prints, and sculptures spanning the fourth century B.C.E. to the twenty-first century C.E. She has appeared as a guest expert on the History Channel and published her scholarship in a variety of publications including RICS Journals and the Journal of Art Crime.

In this episode, Brooke Kuhnhusen shares her evolving understanding of creativity, initially seeing herself as a psychologist engaging in art, but now embracing her identity as a creative person.

She discusses the therapeutic connection of creativity, highlighting its role in connecting with the deepest self through compassion, curiosity, connectedness, and creativity. Brooke emphasizes the importance of joy in the creative process, describing it as a vital, fun energy that has the ability to transform those who engage. She recounts her personal experience with land art, overcoming self-doubt, and finding satisfaction in the creative process itself. 

Brooke also explores cultural perspectives on creativity, particularly in ceremony and ritual, and the significance of giving oneself permission to be creative. She highlights the power of co-creation and community in amplifying joy and connection, viewing creativity as a collaborative and exponential force.

Lastly, she underscores the natural world's role in inspiring and holding our joy and courage in creative endeavors.

About the speaker:

Dr. Brooke Kuhnhausen is a deeply creative soul who embraces explorations of connection and healing across varied landscapes ranging from academic classrooms to treeside in a forest.  Dr. Kuhnhausen values creativity and collaboration as portals of transformation and imagination so vitally needed for new ways of being together and caring for the Earth in our time of climate change. She is a psychologist who practices depth and relational therapy in her private practice and also trains and consults with other therapists, teaching in various graduate programs and therapy institutes. Dr. Kuhnhausen's climate justice advocacy includes her participation in ecofeminist art exhibitions, including her absolutely stunning land art installation last summer at the Verdancy Project in Oregon.  Her passionate centering of beauty and connection as north stars for inspiring positive change has personally shifted co-host Sarah Reeder's thinking away from climate despair many times.  It is such an honor to be able to share her unique gift of perspective on the podcast as we talk about creativity as a force for healing.

Dr. Kuhnhausen can be reached at [email protected] for inquiries regarding workshops, speaking engagements, creative collaborations, and other opportunities.

Welcome back to the Art Elevator podcast! Today, we delve into the world of Artifcts with co-founders Heather Nickerson and Ellen Goodwin. Heather, CEO, shares her heartfelt journey of inheriting memories after her mother's passing, igniting the creation of Artifcts. Ellen, CSO, emphasizes the platform's simplicity in capturing, preserving, and sharing stories behind cherished items. Their new initiative, Artifcts for Professionals, aims to revolutionize collection management. Join us as we explore the human-centric approach to cataloging legacies with Artifcts.

Sarah Reeder riffs today about how we forget that there is an inner transformation that happens within us when we express ourselves creatively, that can be very, very positive. It's totally independent from the outcome of whether anyone else likes what we've made. We have changed ourselves.

Creativity belongs to humanity - it's innate in all of us. Activating that creativity is a gift not only to yourself, but an inspiration to others around you. Join Sarah Reeder and I in this week by week game of finding your creativity. We make it simple, accessible and non-intimidating.

Creativity belongs to humanity - it's innate in all of us. Activating that creativity is a gift not only to yourself, but an inspiration to others around you. Join us in this week by week game of finding your creativity. We make it simple, accessible and non-intimidating.

Creativity belongs to humanity - it's innate in all of us. Activating that creativity is a gift not only to yourself, but an inspiration to others around you. Join us in this week by week game of finding your creativity. We make it simple, accessible and non-intimidating.

Ever wondered why some art stands the test of time, and other art does not? Join me in this podcast as I interview the Iconist, AKA Jamie Mustard, as he breaks down the common elements of art that endures.

In this episode we discuss:

1. What are the building blocks of art that endures?

2. Why is the idea of “monoliths” so powerful in grabbing people’s attention?

3. How does recognizing the patterns behind art that endures allows artists to make informed decisions when looking to connect with an audience.

Links Mentioned:

Get Jamie's book: The Iconist