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Marla Hamburg Kennedy
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Latest Posts
Mar 8, 2016
Wonderful Other Worlds : Ysabel LeMay
Mar 8, 2016

Ysabel LeMay's phantasmagorical nature photographs defy all odds. In a world where nature photography has been done to death, LeMay' creates unique images that radiate with awe. 

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Mar 8, 2016
Feb 24, 2016
David Burdeny: Salt
Feb 24, 2016

That tension between utilitarian purpose and artistic inspiration is the unexpectedly compelling strength of David Burdeny’s mesmerizing series of aerial abstractions called Salt.

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Feb 24, 2016
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Feb 22, 2016
Attractive People Attractive Things
Feb 22, 2016

One of Slim Aarons’ most famous quotes states that he built his career “photographing attractive people who were doing attractive things in attractive places.” Today, his fresco of this international Jet Set looks unreal — as if the world he depicted never existed.

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Feb 22, 2016
Sep 9, 2015
The Newest Twist in Toile
Sep 9, 2015

Toile in its classic sense is defined as a pattern of regal-looking people or animals in some landscape setting, like a garden or farm.

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Sep 9, 2015
The Life and Legacy of Bill Ray
Sep 2, 2015
The Life and Legacy of Bill Ray
Sep 2, 2015

Marilyn Monroe and JFK, the Hells Angels to Vietnam: Bill Ray has captured them all.

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Sep 2, 2015
Jun 24, 2015
Forgotten New York: A Q&A with Award-Winning Photographer Leland Bobbe
Jun 24, 2015

Forget the disco era, the 1970s in New York City was all about danger.

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Jun 24, 2015
Jun 15, 2015
Faces: The Work of Chester Higgins Jr. and Fox Harvard
Jun 15, 2015

The works of Chester Higgins Jr. and Fox Harvard could not appear more dissimilar.

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Jun 15, 2015
Jun 15, 2015
Both Sides of Sunset: Photographing Los Angeles Book Launch at Hamburg Kennedy
Jun 15, 2015

Hamburg Kennedy Photographs is pleased to announce our Book Launch, Exhibition, and Book Signing of Both Sides of Sunset: Photographing Los Angeles.

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Jun 15, 2015
Jun 12, 2015
Slim Aarons and Michael Kors: The Jetset Life
Jun 12, 2015

In the Mood for... Glamour on the Go

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Jun 12, 2015
Jun 11, 2015
In Living Color: The First Photographs of America
Jun 11, 2015

When I moved from being a contemporary art dealer to a photographer dealer back in 1992, a whole new world was opened to me.

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Jun 11, 2015

Refined Diamond Dust

Diamond Dust: Shining Bright with Artists

Marla Kennedy February 19, 2015

The use of diamond dust in art has a wide range of symbolism and presents a wonderful outlet for creativity. A glittering material that can be applied to paper and ink in the silkscreen printing process to create a textured and luminous finish, artists such as Andy Warhol and Russell Young use the famed diamond dust cover in their works to give them an added sense of significance and depth respectively. Anyone who has seen a diamond dusted work in person can attest; they capture the light in a way that beautifully plays to the colors on the work while bringing about a shinning aurora. An artwork can be greatly enhanced by such an addition in value and beauty, so what exactly is Diamond Dust?

 

      The low-grade diamonds that are often ground into dust and used as abrasive powder. The powder is utilized for grinding wheels or polishing paste to polish high-grade gems and for technology industries as a coating for integrated circuits. With all of its utilitarian uses, true diamond dust is difficult to acquire for artist;, which is why it is a mixture of glass, diamonds, and other clear materials.

 Most artists commonly use the clear diamond dust as it gives off the best kaleidoscopic sparkle. The dust is then applied during the printing process instead of an ink layer. A hard material once glued, diamond dust is surprisingly durable and has been as enduring artistic material for several decades.

Andy Warhol, Diamond Dust Shoes, 1980

 

Andy Warhol was one of the first artists to incorporate the diamond dust material into his silkscreens with his first use being the 1980 series ‘Diamond Dust Shoes’. His 1982 series ‘Myths’ and the 1985 Royal edition of his famous ‘Reigning Queens’ series followed this. The use of diamond dust heightens the sense of glamor and myth, suggesting luxury and expense; all things Warhol famously appreciated and displayed with pride.

Warhol, “Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (White) from the Reigning Queens Royal Edition with Diamond Dust of 1985″, Screenprint

Warhol, “Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (White) from the Reigning Queens Royal Edition with Diamond Dust of 1985″, Screenprint

Inspiring future generations, Warhol was the muse behind Sir Peter Blake’s first use of diamond dust in 2009 in his Warhol tribute piece.  Diamond Dust has now become a part of Sir Peter Blake’s Pop Art aesthetic; making for captivating works that present the subject in an almost virtuous tribute like form.

Sir Peter Blake "Andy Warhol II," 2004. Giclee print with diamond dust.

Sir Peter Blake "Andy Warhol II," 2004. Giclee print with diamond dust.

 

Warhol’s portraits have inspired contemporary artist Russell Young, internationally recognized for his larger-than-life silkscreen prints that feature diamond dust.  Young has stated, “I am fascinated by the way light bounce off the three-dimensional surface of my Diamond Dust paintings. In this series, light and the way it is reflected are as important as the subject matter.”

Russell Young, “Marilyn Monroe Laughing”, 2009. Black and gold, acrylic and enamel screenprint on canvas with diamond dust

A shimmering and elegant material, Diamond Dust adds unexpected texture, depth and intensity to any work. By drawing attention to the surface of a print eye-catching, diamond dust not only adds texture and twinkle but perfectly complements subjects with glittering surfaces and hidden depths, such as Marilyn Monroe, advertising, consumerism, and Pop Art itself.

In Art Tags Art, Design, Modern Art, Pop Art, Contemporary Art, Andy Warhol, Art advisory, diamonds, diamond dust, Russell Young, Sir Peter Blake, luxury, Queen Elizabeth, Marilyn Monroe, advertising
← A Painter Without A Paintbrush: Artist Red HongYiVisioluxus →
 

Passionate Art Advisor & Collector, Marla Hamburg Kennedy, shares her secrets.

Marla Hamburg Kennedy

Hamburg-Kennedy Photographs is a New York City based art gallery and advisory specializing in modern and contemporary photography and editions.



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