- - - -
or - - - - “The
Studio” Simbari opened his own Printing Studio in Frascati . .
.
in order to control the quality
and the making of his superb
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Retablos
in Silkscreen
(a special method ‘invented’ by him) - - - in order to give the same thick impasto to his ‘prints’ that he achieved in his ‘originals’. he told me that they “must” be shown in his own “gallery” . . . IN NEW YORK - -!! Retablo in Silkscreen
“Mimosa” ©SIMBARI |
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After much
arguing. . . I agreed to take on this daunting ‘job’ . . .
L’Atelier Simbari was “born” . . .
on 54th. Street,
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- - - on the
front of the
‘boutique’ hotel, The Elysee,
well-known for its
“Monkey Bar” . . . frequented by Manhattan’s writers and actors - - - At first it was just a small space with a huge window . . . ! later we were able to expand . . .
And L’ATELIERbecame a ‘home from home’ “Sardinian Straw Hat” acrylic on canvas ©SIMBARI |
Friends would gather, play music and discuss the “topics” of the day, with a glass of wine and cheeses from Italy! - - - with the wonderful help of our daughter, Jenny. . . . who was a master at hanging the paintings and Retablos. She always seemed to know just how to welcome the many collectors, friends and visitors with her dazzling Simbari smile!!
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I have many memories of the ten year adventure “in the Art business“ . . . the excitement of preparing for a special showing of Nicola’s Southwest Collection of paintings, or the Exhibition of the beautiful jewellery and ‘ artworks’ of my good friend Arthur King, or the spectacular paintings of the AUDI Rallye Cars . . . And yet, perhaps the ‘inventing’ of L’Atelier can best be told by an article in Condé Nast’s VOGUE DECORATION |
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- - -text by Joelle Longhi and photographs by Edgar D’Evia
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«
THE ART OF LOVING ART
. . .
IN A REMARKABLE PLACE.
»
« In the heart of New
York, you’ll find . . . “L’Atelier
Simbari” . . .
an Art Gallery? »
« No, a “lieu privilegie”, set in “The
Elysee Hotel”. An unexpected
locale for art? Not these days, when international hotels buy and
exhibit fine art to please their clientele, as in the famous Vier
Jahreszeiten (Four Seasons) Hotel in Hamburg, which has The Simbari
Bar. So now the Elysee has L’Atelier Simbari,
a remarkable place
created by Mme. Simbari to set a mood in the art of living, making it
possible to buy a painting in an ambiance of warmth and relaxation. »
« It is not by chance that L’Atelier
Simbari is atThe
Elysee. This
small hotel has a history of famous artists, writers and people in the
theatre, who have taken advantage of its privacy, and personalised
services, quite different from that of a larger
hotel.
It has the ‘fun’ side as well . . .
with its famous “Monkey
Bar”, and its convivial atmosphere laced with sophisticated
music »
“a quiet corner for listening to music” at L’Atelier Simbari
« This gracious oasis is the
perfect framework for L’Atelier,
its lovely space exhibiting an
exceptional body of work, that of Nicola
Simbari. »
« Here the facets of this
artist are revealed to those who already know his work, as well as to
those who are just discovering him. »
« Around these paintings, dazzling in their energy, light and colours,
a special ‘mis-en-scene’ is forming, rather like those celebrated
Parisian ‘salons’ where great cultural movements were forged.
But here, you are not trapped into elitist dogmas . . no one is
“explaining” a canvas . . . . to you, . . . second guessing the artist
. . none of that. »
“Café in Ischia”
oil on canvas
©SIMBARI
« To enhance the
atmosphere, Mme Simbari has revived the charming custom of the “at
home”,
allowing her to pay particular attention to visitors, and eventually
have them join an “inner circle” of friends, after business hours, for
wine and good conversation. »
« Elfrida Simbari explains:
“Because we believe in the continuation of art through many
generations, we like to use L’Atelier to give young artists a chance to
be known. It is not only a showcase for painting;
but a centre for talent
and creativity; we might show outstanding photographs, or sculpture.
“Artena”
acrylic on canvas
©SIMBARI
We are exhibiting the work in wood of a very promising young English
sculptor, Matthew Condé.
These are carved with strength, depth and subtlety, using the natural
vein of the wood, resulting in sinuous and powerful pieces, no matter
what their size”.. »
“Sword in the Stone”
Wood sculpture
By Matthew Condé
« “I am not acting as an exhibitor or dealer. I show things as the
spirit moves me and because I like the work. The reason I show Nicola’s
work.
is because I love it!
” »
« L’Atelier is also a reflection of the Simbaris’ way of savouring
Life, by taking the time to LIVE it well. “In New York one never has
time for anyone, yet,
to have time for others, is to be rich!” »
« Mme Simbari never wears a watch. »
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“Navaho Girls” Southwest Collection acrylic on canvas ©SIMBARI |
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From the Southwest Collection - - - “Navaho Girls” - - - this incredible painting ‘speaks’ to me of a “Love that passeth all understanding” . . . ‘Ruth and Naomi’ . . . of a wonderful, profound friendship and trust . . . a masterpiece!
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WHAT MAGIC!
The exhibition of Simbari’s “view” of the American Southwest . . . one of the last Shows at L’Atelier . . . a great success . . . and I was sad to “close the doors” - - - a privilege, indeed, to share with everyone Nicola’s extra-ordinary view of the world around him |
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And then . . . . there are his NUDES . . . !
From “Le Crazy Horse Saloon” Collection “Lili Paramount” acrylic on canvas ©SIMBARI wood sculptures by Matthew Condé AND to follow all the “drama” . . . ! |
tantalising and provocative .
. . but never vulgar . . . Nicola once told me that to paint or sculpt a nude is the ultimate challenge for an artist . . . I can believe that! I loved to Show them . . . They were dramatic, They were soft They were full of LIFE!  etching from “Le Crazy Horse Saloon” ©Simbari |
FORMULA ONE RACING
An unexpected and thrilling Commission from Mansour Ojjeh, CEO for TAG HEURE, to paint the 1981/2 Formula One Racing Season . . . There were 12 works . . .
Where are they now?
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I could almost hear the sound of the cars as they raced through the gallery . . of course, we became avid followers of this exciting sport!! Nicola always drove his Alpha-Romeo as if he were on a race-course!!!
“Last Lap”
Formula One Racing Cars Collestion ©Simbari
Frog Sculpture
Matthew Condé |
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then came the Commission from
Dr. Jur. Wolfgang Habbel,
Chairman of the Board of AUDI,
in the mid 1980s,
to paint
THE
AUDI RALLYE CARS
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and . . . ALWAYS . . .
the Mediterranean
held its allure , , , , its magic . . .
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the intense blues . . . the light . . . the SUN as you ‘view’ . . . the feeling of BEING THERE ! . .the sea breezes . . .the warmth of the air . . . . |
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For Nicola, the Man, his Life is about the simple things as well as the DRAMA . . . flowers picked from his garden and ‘arranged” in his house . . .
 “his DIARIES”
“ Il Vaso”
acrylic on canvas ©SIMBARI |
THESE are his quiet ‘times’ !! “Simpatia” oil on canvas ©SIMBARI his “reverie” . . .
and he shares
them with love - - - |
AND THEN - - -
THE
DRAMA
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when I see “Cockfight” or “Navajo Girls”
. . . I WISH I still had L’Atelier
. . .!
Why?
Nicola’s admirers are many . . . and
PASSIONATE . . . IF only
he KNEW!
This is not “ART”
. . . this is LIFE . . .
© Elfrida 2010
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