As the man credited (or vilified) for bringing down John Gotti and the Gambino crime family, Sammy "the Bull" Gravano has revealed a talent hoping to make a new name for himself outside of the mafia's codes.
Conception Art Fair commissioned a special "cell" to display Sammy's work to give patrons an idea of the quite literal reversal of fortune "coming clean" has cost the famed, former under-boss.
For more information, read our exclusive interview with Sammy's daughter, Karen.
Conception Art Fair is causing some waves in Miami after deciding to showcase t.Rutt's artwork! Last year at Conception, t.Rutt debuted a refurbished Trump campaign bus and this year followed up with an American flag unapologetically displaying direct quotes from the President Elect.
Office workers in the building attached to Conception Art Fair's had an interesting surprise today when the decorated, 15-foot wide flag was left on display.
Originally slated to debut this piece with another art show at Miami Art Week, t.Rutt's invitation was rescinded after election results came in.
Oddly enough, this piece is on sale just days after President Elect Trump's comments on proper punishment for flag desecration. But given that it's Trump's own words on t.Rutt's flag, who's responsible for the dishonor?
Director Rachel Wilkins wound up on an unplanned tour of Miami trying to mail the 5,000 postcards about CAF! Short version---
1. USPS couldn't scan a barcode off her phone,
2. Took two FedEx'es to print out said barcode,
3. Forty minute delay when bridge to Miami Harbor decided to let through a barge
4. USPS tells Rachel each one of 5,000 postcards needs a label
5. Rachel reexamines her life
BUT IT WAS DONE AND WE'RE OFF!
Call before mailing!
Conception Art Fair is the first female-owned and female-operated show at Miami Art Week (“Art Basel”). Founder of Conception Global Art Collective (who host over ten pop-up art shows in cities around the U.S.), Rachel Wilkins Blum, shares with us the history, vision, and beauty of being a trailblazer in the contemporary world of art shows.
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Q: So since Conception Art Fair (CAF) is female-owned and operated, are all the artists women?
A: No! “Female owned and operated” doesn’t mean a Sylvia Plath pow-wow where we exclude all men!
Q: Is it all racial minorities and/or LGBT then?
A: Absolutely not! CAF is wholly committed to representing and showcasing artists of all backgrounds on equal footing. All races, all genders, all political views. What we’re interested in is art, with a purpose, with a passion. We’re giving a microphone to voices that have been ‘kept quiet’ for too long, but not taking away a platform away from any else. Any individual can feel marginalized regardless of perceived privilege.
Q: So straight white males can apply?
A: (laughing) Of course! Everyone is welcome at CAF.
Q: How political is Conception willing to allow?
A: Well, T.Rutt was one of our artists last year and had the Trump Campaign bus parked outside our space. He even had installation piece inspired by the Megyn Kelly bleeding from her ‘I don’t know where’ episode that included a four-poster bed and bloodied tampon tapestry.
Q: Were they used tampons?
A: Oh God no! They were simulated menstrually bloody!
Q: It’s funny to hear the word bloody said in an English accent without it being a curse word…
A: I’m sure!
Q: What criteria or guidelines do you have then to determine which artists can be in the CAF show?
A: We don’t have “rules of pedigree.” A core concept of our organization is that the art is to stand on its own. You can be an artist from the most laureled university programs or you can be self-taught, with no formal training and have your work next to each other at our CAF. Our bookers look for art, not resumes.
Q: What should patrons of CAF in Miami expect?
A: You shouldn’t expect anything. You should come with an open mind and let the art speak to you. We pride ourselves in a great variety of artwork, so you’ll likely connect with a piece you wouldn’t have expected to.
Conception Art Fair is from December 1 to December 4 at 31 NW 23rd Street, Miami, FL