john baeder
jane braddock
wayne brezinka
brother mel
charlie buckley
dan bynum
ed clark
chip cooper
nick dantona
thornton dial
don dudenbostel
david farmerie
gee's bend
anne goetze
jim hubbman
charles ivey
robin venable kenny
charles keiger
meagan kieffer
kimiko
robert kolbrener
norman lerner
john loengard
jim mcguire
judy nebhut
john nikolai
jerry park
christine patterson
leonard piha
bob schatz
lamar sorrento
bill starke
bill steber
denise stewart-sanabria
jason stoddart
david swanagin
tres taylor
andy todd
cynthia tollefsrud
chuck trotter
harry underwood
brett weaver
brad wreyford
aggie zed
special collection: edie maney
special collection: grannis archives-
Altars
©Denise Stewart-Sanabria
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Leaving the 19th Century
"Inspired by an early 20th century photo I found at Elder’s Books. This child has just begun to walk, and the arms behind it are the arms of a supporting sibling. The photo had a kind of spooky feel to it-like the older child was almost an apparition. I left them as a kind of double/attached singular person- a new mythical being. Past-future person." 16 x 10 x 3 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Turn of the 20th: Prosperous Direction
"Inspired by an early 20th century photo I found at Elder’s Books. Gibson girls, their male friend, and an unseen older admirer sitting on a balcony-they are ordinary middle class people from early 20th century Nashville. It is a shrine of human optimism in the future that shows the confidence of the city then and now." 25 x 11 x 3 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Saint Sartorial Pleasure
"There is no patron saint of beauty, so I have invented two. They should first possess fabulous boots and follow no rules of decorum. There is nothing that says personal expression to other people at 1st glance more than what we drape on our bodies. Whatever we throw on ourselves gives us the power of transformation." 47 x 24 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Artemis Redux
"We no longer need to hunt to survive, so the ancient Greek goddess of hunting would be more interested in being at the gym, to perfect her form to at least be in true hunting shape. Our desires to pit ourselves against nature for survival don’t go away-they just get associated with something else." 40 x 38 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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The Three Graces of the New World Parthenon
"The literal translation of “Parthenon” is "unmarried women's apartments". A bit odd, but Nashville has a copy of the original one in Greece. Mine contains three unmarried friends depicting the Three Graces, in the poses most often found in Greek sculpture. “Unmarried women” in the ancient world usually referred to virgins. In the 21st century new World, it usually refers to fabulous." 32 x 26 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Steps of the Ryman
"The Ryman is one of the worlds musical meccas, and though it’s traditionally home to country music, the music scene in Nashville is quite diverse, like the 3 people standing on the steps to its front doors. The doors are large, and their windows swallow the city’s skyline. Its myth came before the modern skyline, and looms larger." 47 x 24 x 4 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Salon Aphrodite 2
"Modern Aphrodite would have a degree as a beautician. We are surrounded by salons dedicated to the beautification of women’s hair and nails. The people working there have the ability to give women the beauty that will give them power over both men and other women. Supposedly. It is a hope and a ritual. My salons have hand formed tiles with an impression of the ancient Venus of Willendorf as a reminder that beauty is also fertility." 23 x 12 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Salon Aphrodite 1
"Modern Aphrodite would have a degree as a beautician. We are surrounded by salons dedicated to the beautification of women’s hair and nails. The people working there have the ability to give women the beauty that will give them power over both men and other women. Supposedly. It is a hope and a ritual. My salons have hand formed tiles with an impression of the ancient Venus of Willendorf as a reminder that beauty is also fertility." 23 x 12 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Poseidon and Amphitrite of the River
"It is inland water god and goddess- one with the rivers and waterfalls, while still wearing pearls in their halos." 12 x 18.5 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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The Birth of the Cult of Blond
"This piece is inspired from a found vintage photo from Elders Bookstore. It’s the early 1920’s, when woman’s hair dye enabled women to join the rage to become blond- like movie stars and mythical beauties. The blond woman wears all white, while the woman with the dark hair wears all black. Despite the horrors of Nazi Aestheticism during WWll, the obsessive beauty standard of the desirability of blondness persists." 11 x 19 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Coming in the Rain
"Musicians enter the realm of Music City with the dream of becoming one of the voices that will be heard as frequently as rain coming down. The music saturates everything in its way like water. My altar has raining guitar pics and drops of reflective “water” welcoming the incoming." 23.5 x 11 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Urban Confusion
"Nashville is a contemporary urban city that mythologizes and preserves a musical tradition that celebrates rural Southern culture. It is an odd fusion, and an indestructible partnership. The people I’m using are from a found photo I got at Elders Books of what I take are a father and son. The son is dressed for hunting or driving a tractor, the dad for heading off to work at an urban, white collar job. They seem to symbolize much of the contrasts of the region. I’ve got them standing in front of seeds and scale model architectural tiles, for both country and urban surfaces. The bees in the upper window fertilize the myth. The frame structure, of course, is the Bat Building." 23.5 x 11 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Saint Hubert and the Cult of Dog
"Saint Hubert no longer sees a crucifix between a stag's antlers while he is out hunting with his bloodhound - his bloodhound wears the antlers and abstract cross. In contemporary culture, dogs have almost achieved equality with humans due to human invention and anthropomorphizing. I’m sure they appreciate it." 14 x 22.5 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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The Three Graces of Kudzu
"There is nothing more fairy tale in its presence than kudzu. There is an element of horror in its ability go grow beyond control and achieve sculptural forms that appear to be prehistoric in form. It is more than a plant, it is an entity with an alien form of consciousness. Whether it is predatory or friend is unclear, but in a more primitive world, there would be shrines erected dedicated to appeasing its magical powers. Having women and children in its midst would help, but would they be sacrifices or co-spirits?" 11 x 17 x 3 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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The Children of the Kudzu
"There is nothing more fairy tale in its presence than kudzu. There is an element of horror in its ability go grow beyond control and achieve sculptural forms that appear to be prehistoric in form. It is more than a plant, it is an entity with an alien form of consciousness. Whether it is predatory or friend is unclear, but in a more primitive world, there would be shrines erected dedicated to appeasing its magical powers. Having women and children in its midst would help, but would they be sacrifices or co-spirits?" 11 x 17 x 3 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Saint Anne Says Not Now
"Throughout history fertility has been associated with hope and desire. Nothing was a greater achievement in a community. With the advent of childhood immunizations in the 20th century, Fertility is now not to be desired, but controlled. Devoting rituals to hoped for fertility and pregnancy are now abandoned for the responsibility of deciding for oneself when fertility is allowed. Rhinestone birth control pill designs and clothing that could or could not be maternity are symbolic." 21.5 x 13 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Dionysus of the Plastic Cup
"We are surrounded by wine at so many cultural and public rituals that rarely is the wine contained within a glass- plastic cups are as transitory and fragile as the liquid they hold and the events they celebrate." 14 x 19.5 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Saint Vitus Retro
"Throughout history fertility has been associated with hope and desire. Nothing was a greater achievement in a community. With the advent of childhood immunizations in the 20th century, Fertility is now not to be desired, but controlled. Devoting rituals to hoped for fertility and pregnancy are now abandoned for the responsibility of deciding for oneself when fertility is allowed. Rhinestone birth control pill designs and clothing that could or could not be maternity are symbolic." 26 x 37 in., Drawing and mixed media, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Lomography series
©Denise Stewart-Sanabria
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Fifth at Broadway
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Acme Farm
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Ahead
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Amps
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Blimp and Bat
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Broadway Buckster
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Catering #1
4.5 x 7 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Catering #2
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Catering #3
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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East Nashville Buckster
4.5 x 7 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Five Monkeys
8 x 8 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Ghost Guitar
6 x 12 in., Pinhole photography, archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Hard Rock Bat Building
4.5 x 7 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Harvest Elvis
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Hatch Buckster
5.8 x 9 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Hot Dogs on Broadway
6 x 6 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Joe Knows
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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More Boots
5.8 x 9 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Norvelle Bras
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Parthenon Tent
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Performance
4.5 x 7 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Sub Stop
6 x 6 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Surplus
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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The Station Inn
6 x 6 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Tour the Ryman
6 x 6 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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UFO
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Travel
6 x 6 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Up to the Ryman
6 x 6 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Weenery
5.8 x 9 in., Archival ink transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
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Welcome Lot
6 x 6 in., Lomography transfer, price upon request. ©Denise Stewart-Sanabria. For purchase, please call toll-free: 1-877-694-2040 or email: art@theartscompany.com
About Denise Stewart-Sanabria
Born in Massachusetts, Denise Stewart-Sanabria and received her BFA in Painting from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. A resident of Knoxville, TN, Stewart-Sanabria produces both hyper-realist “portraits” of everything from produce to subversive jelly donuts, and full-scale, cut-out charcoal on plywood drawings of contemporary people that she uses to create conceptual installations.
Recent exhibits include: “2008 Biennale: Contemporary American Realism”, at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in Indiana, “Continua-re: The Figurative Tradition in Contemporary Art” at Ewing Gallery at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, “The American Still Life: Yesterday and Today”, The Bascom, Highlands, NC, and the “26th Tallahassee International” at the Museum of Fine Arts at Florida State University.
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Artist Statement
About the "Altar-nate" series: I’m using Byzantine decoration, Faberge egg bling, Medieval religious altar construction, and 21st century design standards to create secular cultural altars dedicated to who we are and what we value and obsess about. The Oscars are more about dresses than awards for excellence in the theater arts. Coffee shops are for social networking more than caffeine. Gyms are hallowed places where those who would have been, in the past, been facing natures challenges to survive, are pursuing those endorphins and the physical excellence that was necessary to survive in the wild as a recreational substitution. Geographic locations are iconographic for people’s dreams. Nashville is an odd fusion-a modern, eclectic city that encapsulates a tradition of rural songwriting and performing, and is the mecca for those working in that tradition. My approach is decidedly quotidian, from the themes to the materials used. Beauty salons and urban streets are blinged out with rhinestones and acrylic pellets used in the floral industry. Halos are made from costume jewelry earrings and BB gun copperhead pellets.
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