At Art Basel in Miami Beach, von Bartha presents two esteemed artists, each championing their artistic medium of choice: US-American painter Marina Adams (b. 1960) and Swiss sculptor Olaf Breuning (b. 1970).

In a recent text, it was said that each painting by Marina Adams possesses a unique point of departure, a distinct beginning from which its narrative and visual journey unfolds. To join this journey, the paintings beckon you into their world. Some offer an open gateway, while others hint at looking for another entrance. Adams’ practice is notable for its skillful use of color and form to create a sense of movement and rhythm in her work, often inspired by a manifold of themes from poems, memories, and places, to geopolitical events.

Olaf Breuning, who works primarily in sculpture, photography, and installation, draws from an equally broad field of inspiration, creating a multi-layered oeuvre that questions contemporary realities. His Sad and Worried Animals series is fueled by concerns about the environmental crisis, and the artist explains: “The animals have nothing to say. They wait for the big ‘hammer’ to drop down on them. They all frown and look to the sky. We, humans, change the planet, and as a dominating species, we think first about ourselves. The animals have nothing to say.”

Image: Installation view, f.l.t.r., Olaf Breuning, Pelican’s Sister and Bird (both 2024), and Marina Adams, Cedar of Lebanon, 2023.

Photos: Chris Grunder

Private Days (by invitation only)
Wednesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 5, 2024

Public Days
Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8, 2024

Venue
Miami Beach Convention Center
1901 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139