Artist Guy Stanley Philoche with his French Bulldog, Picasso.
(Photo:Udo Spreitzenbarth)
COVID has disrupted many areas of life in 2020.
But one established New York painter is working to help those in need, artist to artist.
Artist Guy Stanley Philoche with his French Bulldog, Picasso. (Photo:Udo Spreitzenbarth)
However, the swift onset of the pandemic in New York City interrupted his plans.
A New Yorker of 20 years, the artist saw the struggles of his artistic community.
One friend in particular lost his job and was stressing over paying bills for his young family.
Photo: ZsPop Editing
To help his friend, Philoche purchased one of the friend’s paintings for his own collection.
The plans for a watch took a back seat.
Messages flowed in, and Philoche began purchasing pieces which spoke to him.
Untitled, mixed media on canvas, 60” x 48” (left);Untitled, mixed media on canvas, 60” x 48” (right). Both are works from the Untitled Series by Guy Stanley Philoche. (Photos:Guy Stanley Philoche)
To some of the artists, Philoche’s purchase was the first work they had ever sold.
To others, it meant one less bill to worry about until galleries reopen.
As a young child, he emigrated with his family from Haiti to Connecticut.
Photo: ZsPop Editing
Artthen in the form of cartoons and drawingwas his refuge.
I had no one open a door for me.
He is now represented byCavalier Galleries.
“Paper Airplane & 3 Butterflies Blue”, mixed media on canvas, 48″ x 60″. A work from the series “Come Fly With Me” by Guy Stanley Philoche. This work is available through Philoche’s representationCavalier Galleries(Photos:Guy Stanley Philoche)
Since making it in the art world, Philoche has sought to use his influence to give back.
His COVID-era purchases are only part of this mission.
His philosophy is Sell a painting, buy a painting.
Read on to discover more about how artistsand youcan give back to communities.
Can you share any particular stories of how artists are strugglingor copingwith the pandemic?
There are hundreds of stories.
All are equally painful to hear.
People just need to listen and appreciate what art really means.
For some artists, the work you buy is the first they have ever sold.
Do you remember the first work you sold as a young artist in New York City?
Yes, of course.
It was part of myUntitled Series, during my first group show of five.
I was beyond ecstatic.
The only two paintings I had in the show sold at a boutique gallery in Chelsea.
It was all I ever wanted to do.
Both are works from the Untitled Series by Guy Stanley Philoche.
(Photos:Guy Stanley Philoche)
Your philosophy is Sell a painting, buy a painting.
Do you have a favorite find over the years?
They are all my babies.
Theres an old rule in the art world: 1.
Buy what you love.
Buy what you love.
Buy what you love.
Donating to artist communities is a great way to support.
There are multiple artist-only living accommodations scattered throughout New York that are always in need of assistance.
What are you doing with the pieces you have purchased from struggling artists during the pandemic?
For now, the works that I have purchased make me happy.
I look at them every day, and each day I smile because I buy what I love.
Any plans for a future exhibition of your collection, once it is safe to do so?
There is the trope of the struggling artist, one that is too often true.
What changes would you like to see in the way societyand art institutionssupport artists?
I would like for society to realize that art is truly important.
Can you imagine a world with no Picasso, Vincentvan Goghor the MoMa?
Id also like for more artists of color to be included in major institutions around the world.
But it wasnt until President Barack Obama that I really believed that I could be anything I wanted.
Hope to dream big that one day their work will be hanging at one of those big museums.
Paper Airplane & 3 Butterflies Blue, mixed media on canvas, 48 x 60.
A work from the series Come Fly With Me by Guy Stanley Philoche.
I played a lot of music and listened to where the brush would take me.
And out of all of that, came myRemembering Your Innocenceseries.
