If you too are somewhat allergic to those who buy art simply as an investment activity, you might have similarly experienced NADA as a relatively capitalist free zone. For better or worse, the crowd ambling through the walkways of NADA Miami 2019 didn’thave a high roller feel. Rather, hipsters seemed to have a higher per capita concentration, especially on the lawn outside the show during one of the interpretive dance events that was a NADA add-on.
But it was the energy coming from the art per se that most impressed. So-called naïve artist Bill Traylor’s work—now commanding a relatively pretty penny – seemed to fit right in and be the standard bearer. Seeing his work being sold at NADA reminded it was about commerce after all. Even though much of the work you see is very polished and studied, en toto, there seems to be something more akin to art school energy—whether graphite on paneling, brilliant repurposing of office chair covers to create art, dolls with jewel case bodies seeming to re-create a crime scene, satin gloves made 2D, spray paint applications seeming more like smoke, abstract string paintings, collections of small paintings on display to create an instant community of unusual colors, and more. These were works that were taking chances. These were works stood out as powered by creativity.
