Nudes and Porn

As you might have heard, a famous nude painting by Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani sold for $170 million at Christie's auction. Some people guffawed at the price tag attached to an early 20th century artwork, others just blushed at the naked female body contained within Modigliani's frame.

Take, for example, Bloomberg news. During a broadcast segment on Tuesday, Bloomberg censored the painting, blurring the areas of the painting depicting breasts and pubic hair. "Too racy!" the anchors exclaimed, a little embarrassed by the painterly brazenness of "Reclining Nude." 

The whole world seems to have discovered the goal of my 1996-1997 exhibition at the Fraser Gallery which focused on nude portrait of porn actresses and the then new phenomenon of online porn celebrities.

My question was essentially the same as Colbert's: If this woman shows a nude image of herself on the Internet, it's porn, but if I do a nude drawing of her, then it's art.

The opening was packed (many of the ladies attended the opening reception), and even the prudish Washington Post covered it (read the review here). 

Wanna go to a gallery talk?

AOM: Meet the Artists Tomorrow!

This Saturday, November 14th, is ARTISTS NIGHT at Artomatic. Meet face to face with the talented people who make Artomatic shine.

Artomatic 2015 - the planet's largest open art show is happening! It is running from October 30th - December 12th at 8100 Corporate Drive, Hyattsville MD right by the New Carrollton Metro Station. 

Anyone can participate in Artomatic - there are no criteria to register, and space is allocated on a first come, first served basis. Artomatic routinely attracts more than 70,000 visitors to see work by more than 700 artists, and more than 300 performances. Their presenting partner, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Department of Parks and Recreation, is hosting Artomatic in a 90,000 sq ft building in Prince George's County. 

For more information please visit  http://2015.artomatic.org/ 

Heading to Miami next month!

"Supergirl Flying Naked"
Charcoal on Paper, 2015
10x36 inches by F. Lennox Campello

To all my fellow veterans...

Thank you!


To all US veterans, both those who have served and those who are serving in all corners of the planet while we're home with our families. A well-deserved thank you to all the soldiers, sailors, airmen/women, Marines and Coasties.

Below is Petty Officer Third Class Lenny Campello back in 1975 while stationed aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60) in Mayport, Florida.


And then Lieutenant Commander Lenny Campello back in 1992 while assigned as the Executive Officer (XO) of NSGA Skaggs Island, California.

An old friend makes an apperance in the UK

Below is "Marilyn Monroe Sees Her Last Visitor." This original charcoal drawing was done in 1999 and exhibited and sold on opening night at DC's Fraser Gallery during my December 1999 solo show there.

It was recently purchased at auction in London and now lives in the UK.

"Marylin Monroe Sees Her Last Visitor"
1999 Charcoal on Paper by F. Lennox Campello

 

Curious Case of a Picasso and a Koch

A Picasso picture of a cabaret artist, which carries a second painting on the reverse, sold for $67.45 million in New York Thursday, scoring a windfall for American billionaire Bill Koch. 

Mr Koch, who is ranked 307 on the Forbes 400 richlist has a net worth of around $2.1 billion.  

The sale was the top lot of the season so far, proving a savvy investment for the Republican party donor who paid just $3 million for the canvas in 1984 and later discovered he got two for the price of one with a second painting on the reverse. 

Sotheby's had valued the canvas, 'La Gommeuse,' at $60 million. It was painted in Paris in 1901 when the artist was just 19 years old and grieving the suicide of a close friend.

But read about the secret in this painting that made it even more valuable! Click here. 

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