Of all the art galleries and museums in all the Hamptons land, it could be argued the Peter Marino Art Foundation at 11 Jobs Lane in Southampton is among the most beautiful, and in a way, the most amply filled.
Situated inside a 19th-century, Queen Anne-style building that formerly housed the Rogers Memorial Library, Marino — the principal of Peter Marino Architect PLLC, the New York-based architecture and design firm he founded nearly 50 years ago — purchased the building back in 2018 and spent about three years restoring the historical (and now, iconic) facade and redesigned interiors, converting over 8,000-square-feet of exhibition space spread across two levels.
The foundation exhibits over 500 artworks from Marino’s collection. Impressively, exhibitions are curated by Marino himself and run the gamut from paintings, sculpture, drawings, photography, furniture and ceramics from 3500 BC to the present day, showcasing from a collection he’s been cultivating for the past four decades.
Today marks the beginning of the foundation’s summer-long exhibition of artworks from four distinct artists, and a very well known fine jewelry and accessories designer. Set to be on view through October 3, Southforker attended a special preview for the summer exhibition this past weekend, hosted by Marino himself. Here’s what to expect:
Eighteen photographic works and architecturally inspired Dome paintings from Iranian-American visual artist Y.Z. Kami will be on view. Known for his large scale portrait paintings in oil on linen, “Kami’s works possess a distinct sense of fluidity between representation and abstraction,” according to a press statement from the foundation, “between painted depiction and geometric concentric compositions of repetition.”
Ten large-scale colorful paintings will be on view from Chicago-born Robert Nava, predominantly featuring graffiti-like depictions of animals, including mythical creatures, most notably, dragons. “Nava’s fantastical beasts and unconventional scenes reveal an uninhibited creativity while his frenetic, graffiti-like markings imply an undercurrent of destruction,” the release says.
Additionally on view is duo show featuring pieces from two influential, distinct figures of 20th century avant-garde art: the American abstract painter, sculptor and art dealer Betty Parsons and Italian postwar abstract pioneer Carla Accardi. Parsons, who’s subjective abstractions often reflected the area around her Southold waterfront studio and home, which is where she passed away back in the early 80’s. Regarded as one of the most influential and dynamic figures of the American avant-garde movment, “Parsons championed Abstract Expressionism while maintaining a rigorous artistic practice creating vibrant works characterized by their bold, playful and expressive style inspired by nature.” Her works will be juxtaposed with one of her contemporaries, the late Italian painter Accardi, who was renowned for her modular designs. “Accardi’s abstract paintings blend gestural strokes and hard-edge forms,” the press statement says, “and relate primarily to symbols and signs which are integrated into her works in her modular series and her innovative use of the material Sicofoil,” a flexible, translucent plastic material historically manufactured in Italy. The duo’s works will be presented together in the double-height Cathedral Gallery at the foundation.
Finally, the show includes a large assortment of mixed metal works from Tiffany & Co., the luxury jewelry and accessories brand that’s been synonymous with the art of silversmithing for nearly two centuries. Over 100 Tiffany mixed metal works from the late 19th century will be on view, ranging from pitchers, tea kettles, trophies and vases which “demonstrate a wide range of Japonesque and nature-inspired designs exemplifying the full mastery of Tiffany craftsmanship,” the release says.
The Peter Marino Art Foundation is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for guided tours and general admission (which is $20 per person). Advance reservations are recommended. Click here for more information or call
