John Barton (b. 1941) is a self-taught artist from Illinois. He was raised in an unstable household by severely alcoholic parents. Although Barton experienced an unfortunate upbringing and many hardships, he has enjoyed drawing and painting from an early age. Barton uses art making as a means to process his thoughts and feelings, and he tells stories through art. He alters methods and styles depending on the themes he depicts, while his work is sometimes experimental with use of the materials.
Micius Stephane (1912 – 1996) was born in 1912 in the small coastal village of Bainet. He began painting in his spare time while working as a shoemaker. Following the establishment of the Centre d’Art, Stephane moved to Port-au-Prince to devote himself exclusively to painting.
His early depictions of market places and village life are robust and naive, dominated by earth tones. Over the years Stephane gradually included more vivid colors in his compositions; however, his naive, childlike vision remained essentially unchanged.
Stephane’s work is included in the permanent collection of the Musee d’Art Haitien du College Saint Pierre in Port-au-Prince, the Milwaukee Museum of Art, and the Detroit Institute of Art.
(The Naive Tradition: Haiti. Milwaukee Art Center, 1974.)
We are happy to announce that we are now representing the Recluse (Indiana)!
The Recluse was raised in a working class family, and lost his parents at an early age. Later in life he suffered a blood clot, became physically disabled, and socially withdrawn as a result. Though faced with unexpected challenges and physical limitations, he discovered strength in spirituality and art-making. He finds inspiration in everyday life, painting from memory and his imagination. His work is permeated with nostalgia and a sense of tranquility, while maintaining a streak of roughness. The Recluse’s work is a reflection of his state of mind, seeking to reconcile the imperfection of reality with gratitude for life. He currently resides in Indiana, and enjoys his solitude.
Laurie Ahner
314-409-6057 (mobile)
info@galeriebonheur.com or gbonheur@aol.com
The Recluse was raised in a working class family, and lost his parents at an early age. Later in life he suffered a blood clot, became physically disabled, and socially withdrawn as a result. Though faced with unexpected challenges and physical limitations, he discovered strength in spirituality and art-making. He finds inspiration in everyday life, painting from memory and his imagination. His work is permeated with nostalgia and a sense of tranquility, while maintaining a streak of roughness. The Recluse’s work is a reflection of his state of mind, seeking to reconcile the imperfection of reality with gratitude for life. He currently resides in Indiana, and enjoys his solitude.
We are thrilled to announce that we have recently acquired these special vintage paintings by Amos Ferguson!
All the newly acquired Amos Ferguson’s are from the early years of his career, the 70’s and 80’s, when he was going some his finest and most creative works of art.
Please contact us for any additional information.
(above: Pink and Red Flowers on Green, 23 x 29 inches)
Laurie Ahner
314-409-6057 (mobile)
info@galeriebonheur.com or gbonheur@aol.com
Red Flowers in Yellow Vase, 38 x 21 inches
Big Flower in Red, White, and Blue, 31 x 21 inches
Orange White and Red Flowers on Green and Blue, 29 x 28 inches
I’m offering these older Amos Ferguson paintings to you because I know you treasure his work ! Galerie Bonheur has been fortunate to find these stellar examples from the 1980’s, truly the best period of his career. At this point he had been “discovered”, was exhibiting in museums and galleries Internationally, and was at the height of his genius . We have found that these originals are not easy to procure even though Amos was very prolific. Therefore this rarity makes these works more precious and outstanding.
Take a look, enjoy and let me know your interest soon please!
Exil is a master artist and painter from Haiti, and one of the important contributors to the Saint Soleil art movement. His work is mystical and abstract, and he often depicts Haitian Voudou Loas. He is a highly regarded artist, and has exhibited internationally.
Galerie Bonheur is pleased to announce our participation in the Fall Benefit Gala Auction at American Folk Art Museum in New York City on November 16, 2017! We have donated several works of folk art from our extensive collection for this event to support their wonderful effort to provide great cultural & educational experience for their broad audience. Click the image for more information.
The “Death Cart” – special work of art by Horacio Valdez, a famous Santero from New Mexico – has traveled the world in museum settings and major art exhibits and it now needs to have a permanent home, to be appreciated and admired by an art- loving public!
Horacio Valdez
(1929-1992, New Mexico), La Muerte Death Cart, 1983.
Polychrome carved wood, 53 x 50 x 32 inches.Available on November 11, 2017
at Santa Fe Art AuctionView This Artwork at the Santa Fe Art Auction Website HereFor inquiry:
Laurie Ahner, Director & Owner
info@galeriebonheur.com or 314.409.6057
Valdez is best known for his Penitente-inspired death carts. These large scale sculptures depict a female skeletal image riding atop a miniature wooden ox cart. The skeleton, called La Muerte (Death) or Dona Sebastiana, usually carries a hatchet, bow and arrow, or other instrument of death. The figure is a reminder of human mortality or memento mori. Real death carts appear during Holy Week when members of the Brotherhood of the Penitentes, or “Hermandad de Nuestro Padres Jesus Nazareno,” reenact the suffering and crucifixion of Christ by pulling carts filled with stones in a procession as penance. (image below: Feria Artesana, The Albuquerque Museum, 1981, “Horacio Valdez: Labrador De Amor”)
The “La Muerte” Death Cart was commissioned by Galerie Bonheur directly from Horacio Valdez at his home in Dixon, New Mexico. The sculpture took approximately 8 months to complete, and Galerie Bonheur has maintained ownership of the piece since its creation in 1983. The death cart was on loan from October 5, 1986 to May 29, 1988 in a traveling exhibit entitled “Beyond Tradition: Contemporary American Folk Art.” This exhibit, organized by the Katonah Gallery (now the Katonah Museum of Art), traveled both throughout the United States and Europe. (image below: detail: Horacio Valdez, La Muerte Death Cart, 1983, Galerie Bonheur)
Other Valdez carvings have been shown at the Museum of American Folk Art, the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, the Taylor Museum in Colorado Springs, and the Albuquerque Museum. Another death cart, entitled “Carreta de Muerte” (1975) resides in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. (image below: Horacio Valdez, Carreta de Muerte, 1975, Smithsonian American Museum)
