Driven to Abstraction

Sebastopol Center for the Arts

Ongoing – March 16

As you may know, Driven to Abstraction is a 2019 film which unravels a mutating tale of self-delusion, greed and fraud, and an $80 million forgery scandal that rocked the art world and brought down Knoedler, New York City's oldest and most venerable gallery.

Was the gallery's esteemed director the victim of a con artist who showed up with an endless treasure trove of previously unseen abstract expressionist masterpieces? Or did she eventually suspect they were fakes, yet continue to sell them for many millions of dollars for fifteen years? Whatever the truth, two women from very different worlds were, wittingly or not, caught up in the greatest hoax ever of Modern American Art.

If you haven't seen the movie already, I recommend it highly. Form your own opinions about Knoedler director, Ann Freedman, art collectors Domenico and Eleanore De Sole, con artist Glafira Rosales, forger Pei-Shen Qian, and Knoedler owner Michael Hammer (yes, from those Hammers).

The Driven to Abstraction exhibition is being held in the main SebArts Gallery. These pictures are the real thing, not forgeries. This show has 83 fantastic works all centered around unique styles of Abstraction. This show is free to the public.

You may wish to partake in the curated classes that are being offered in conjunction with SCA’s Driven to Abstraction exhibition:

Feb 16 – Abstract Collage Composition. For more information and to reserve your seat, click here.

March 2 – Poetry Challenge: Abstraction through Form. For more information and to reserve your seat, click here.

March 9 – Abstract Artist Panel. Panelists are Julia Nelson-Gal, Gordon Studer and Sige Weisman. For more information and to reserve your seat, click here.

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WHILE YOU ARE THERE

Of course, if you are going to Sebastopol, I urge you to set aside some time for Florence Avenue, just two blocks from the SCA. Whether you walk or drive, I'm convinced this display will tickle your fancy. Every home on this three block stretch of road has as least one outdoor sculpture adorning the residents' abode. Much of the sculpture is Found Art. Not every one is a masterpiece, but each piece is guaranteed to make you smile, as you admire the wit and ingenuity of the artists.