Art Wynwood 2016 Brings a Satisfying Blend of Artwork to Its Post-Basel Show

Art Wynwood has been a centerpiece of the neighborhood’s revitalization for the past five years. The annual fair has flourished as a testament to the galleries, street artists, and characters that turned warehouses into vibrant cultural centers. At this year’s edition, Art Wynwood remains at the forefront of the local creative scene — despite Wynwood galleries having been pushed out by boutiques and eateries in the past year.

“That evolution takes place in every city,” Art Wynwood director Grela Orihuela explains. “Miami is on the same path… It’s a beautiful series of decisions which all add to the cultural growth and development of the area.” 

As the special preview night of the five-day fair began, several of the city’s collectors made their way through the crowded tent, attracted to some of the more vibrant booths. Walking in, guests were immediately struck by a stunning stained-glass piece at gallery Waterhouse & Dodd. Titled Notre Dame, the eye-catching work was both a throwback and something wholly new. Artist Mauro Perucchetti re-created the radiance of a massive gothic stained-glass window in a modern art context. 

South Florida artist Jonathan Stein’s pop masterpieces were all the rage at the fair. Known for his bedecked, sparkling sculptures inspired by pop objects like soda bottles and KFC buckets, he decided to use gummy candy bags as his muse. His larger-than-life bag of Swedish Fish can be yours for a mere $27,000. C’mon, it’s not that much of a markup when you consider the time and materials that go into crafting these one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

Also highlighted at the fair was Latin American art, and Cuban artists were given special placement. “Highlighting Latin America is essential in producing a well-rounded show,” Orihuela says. 

One of the principal exponents of modern Cuban art, Rene Portocarrero has been a favorite among seasoned collectors of work from the island nation. 

Servando Cabrera Moreno’s phallic ink-on-paper drawings added a touch of off-color humor to the rather tame affair.

Exhibited next to the works by established Cuban artists was a piece by a younger and more politically conscious artist. Dayron Gonzalez’s Cameleon II is a striking takedown of Cuban propaganda, aimed directly at the figurehead of the oppressive regime, Fidel Castro. 

Alan Wolfson’s miniatures stole the show at the Hollis Taggart Gallery. These intricate works are painstaking re-creations, down to the most minute detail, of street corners and subway stations. Though delicate and fragile, they stuck out amid the clamor of the fair for their attention to the more superficial aspects of daily life. 

Art Wynwood 
February 11 through 15. For more information, visit artwynwood.com.