Michael Abatemarco I The New Mexican
EAST MEETS WEST EL LSWO RTH GA L LERY
EAST PALACE
There’s something unexpected leering from the roof of Ellsworth Gallery, a new establishment on East Palace Avenue. You’ve probably noticed the dragon slithering from the top, grinning down at you on your way to El Palacio for a sandwich or to Nicholas Potter Bookseller to find that rare first edition. You may recall that the hammered-copper dragon by artist Ilan Ashkenazi was originally slated to be installed in 2012, but remodeling of the space — formerly home to Shibui, a gallery that specialized in Asian antiques — necessitated a postponement. The dragon is finally here, and for those seeking something a little different, the grand opening of Ellsworth Gallery has been well worth the wait, not only for the dragon but for the eclectic mix of antique Japanese armor and contemporary art inside.
“I’ve always wanted to do something a little more dynamic — living artists, changing exhibitions,” gallery owner Barry Ellsworth told Pasatiempo. Ellsworth, who previously worked in the film industry in New York and taught in the film program of the College of Santa Fe after moving to New Mexico in 2002, has been dealing in Japanese art for the past few years, primarily in Europe. “I specialize in 18th-century armor and accouterments. I started acquiring and dealing in Japanese antiques. In 2005 I had the opportunity to work with somebody in Paris, which is oddly the center of that kind of collecting, even more than in Japan. I was three years in Paris with a private gallery and returned here in 2008. Since then I’ve mostly been dealing with European clients.” continued on Page 34
Maritza Wild Chateau, above, from left: The Gallop, 2007, Karakorum, Mongolia; The Sacred Forest 2, 2006, Paro, Bhutan; both archival UltraChrome ink 32
PASATIEMPO I June 7-13, 2013
PASATIEMPOMAGAZINE.COM
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