DRESSING by Ariana Page Rusell

Signature Series:
Ariana Page Russell
Dressing
5 x 7 inches
11 four-color plates
24 pages, hardcover
1 original print

Signature Series books are limited to 500 signed and numbered copies. Each contain one original print.

ISBN: 978-0-9793373-5-6

$40 USD

Ariana Page Russell
Pharaoh
Limited edition archival pigment print, signed and numbered, with copy of Dressing.

Sheet size: 20 x 16 in.
Image size: 19 x 13 in.
Edition of 20, signed and numbered.

Special Prepublication Price:
$500 USD until 8.8.09
$600 USD after 8.8.09

It has not even been a year since I first spotted Ariana Page Russell work @ The Platform Gallery Booth , Aqua Art Fair during Miami Art Basel 2008 . Well since then Ariana's work had been bought by serious art collectors, Had a solo show @ Magnan Projects ( her second one there) , was part of a  great group show @ Schroeder-Romero Gallery , was interviewed and profiled  by ABC News 20/20 and is now having another  show at Platform Gallery in Seattle, Washington. 

I am lucky enough to own the image of the book cover!

Now  comes Dressing her new book published by Decode Books and a great limited collectors edition of Pharaoh, part of Ariana's new body of work. Folks , there is only 20 plus you get the book with it so, move on quick!

Only $500.00 till 8/8/09

Please contact Stephen@platformgallery.com for purchasing.

For those not aware of Ariana's fascinating work please read below:

Ariana Page Russell turns to her own skin as both a canvas and as a source of adornments for her photographic series titled, Dressing. “The power of a blush, an ephemeral and uncontrollable response revealing internal sentiment, becomes the fashion of skin. I have sensitive skin that easily flushes. In Dressing, I use the imagery of this temporary change as my medium via collages made from photographs of my skin. These collages show shades of sensitivity in reds and pinks made into patterns, then scanned and printed as temporary tattoos. I place the skin tattoos back on skin, adorning myself with a longer lasting, intentional blush. Rather than being frustrated by my skin’s transparency, I claim it by dressing up in the crimson hues that reveal my vulnerability. ” Rather than covering up her skin condition, known as dermatographica, Russell embraces the changes her skin makes, exploring the concepts of fashion and beauty: “These tattoos become and intimate fashion as their own sort of clothing…. I am investigating where one surface ends and another begins, the bloom of adornment, and how shifting exteriors reveal as they conceal.”

Ariana Page Russell holds an MFA in Photography from the University of Washington (Seattle, WA) and has had solo exhibitions throughout the United States. She is currently represented by Platform Gallery (Seattle, WA) and Magnan Projects (New York, NY).

Just when you think you are done with Art Collecting...

Sugarplum
archival inkjet print
26" x 18"
2008

There was something lingering and rather missing from my birthday and the Holidays for me. During Miami Art Basel, I made a BIG MISTAKE!

Bidding for an Art Auction in Manhattan while away (can't happen again) in Miami. It caused and made my mind think and act all over the place, having a hard time focusing in what was in front of me. There were so many deals!

As a result of it, I lost the opportunity of getting new, fresh art pieces and one of them is the photograph shown here. It is by Ariana Page Russell shown @ the AQUA South Beach ART fair by the Platform Gallery from Seattle WA.The minute I saw it ...I wanted it but, my mind was all over the place.The price was great, the work was new and size, edition , theme ...I mean everything about it was just right. All my friends kept telling me to buy it and I just froze!

Our friends @ MAO were smart enough and jumped on it. I even posted a blog about while there but, never bought it. The Dealer called me while in Miami, telling me there was just one left and I could not even process that. So ...now what?

The photograph kept lingering in my head during this past two months and I finally had the courage to ask Platform Gallery if there was any leftovers for me. They told me as I expected it, that the edition of five was sold out!

Well...all of the sudden, I got an email from Blake from Platform Gallery telling me that there is a possibility that the is an artist proof of Sugarplum left...so I said WOW...but then later, I found out there was a catch...somebody had it on hold to purchase!

For some strange reason, (God knows I was putting a curse on the competitor) the other collector decided to pass and guess what?

I am the proud owner of it now!!!!
Hell Yeah!

Coincidentally Ariana is moving to New York City and she is having her second solo show @ Magnan Projects in April 2009.
So..there is a good end to the story!

Special thanks to Stephen and Blake from Platform Gallery in Seattle, Washington and to Ariana Page Russell for making this possible.Art collecting is not easy at times but, it can be so rewarding.Thanks also to MAO for keep reminding me of it.

This was another learning experience for me as an Art Collector. Lesson learned!