Interview with Kevin Berlin at Mark Miller Gallery
Mark Miller Gallery presented Kevin Berlin “Fresh Tomatoes!” a special themed presentation at Hamptons Fine Art Fair from July 14-17. Over four days, the Fair featured over 100 galleries from 50 cities and 11 countries, with more than 9,500 in attendance.
Mark Miller Gallery, 92 Orchard Street, LES, New York
Interviewer: What’s a Lower East Side gallery doing at The Hamptons Fine Art Fair?
Mark Miller: One of the reasons why I did the Hamptons Show was to try to promote and attract a wider audience to rediscover and investigate the art we have in the Lower East Side (LES). I hope having a presence in a relatively local art fair might bring in new art collectors that help support not only my gallery, but all of the galleries in the Lower East Side.
Interviewer: This was an unusual presentation for an art fair… What was Kevin Berlin’s ‘Fresh Tomatoes!’? Farmstand or art show?
MM: Well, a little bit of both. I was talking to the artist Kevin Berlin about doing something colorful, fun and positive, as we continue to emerge from Covid. And Kevin came up with this idea of Fresh Tomatoes. We thought what better thing to have in a Hampton’s home than a fresh tomato. We presented over 57 original paintings.
Interviewer: Is it true there was a live rooster at the opening?
MM: That was a wonderful experience. All the patrons especially the young kids, they really enjoyed being able to handle a rooster for the first time. It was a real pleasure to interact with more people from the fair, and to see people going home with a big smile on their face. One thing that we learned from the exhibition is that roosters like blueberries. It was all good fun.
Interviewer: You exhibited Kevin Berlin’s works for the first time 22 years ago. A few highlights over the years?
MM: Well, during the economic downturn of 2008, I decided to double the gallery space. The first show that I emerged with was a fantastic show that Kevin Berlin put together called ‘Double Happiness’. It was an exciting show with an amazing turnout, and it was probably one of the most dynamic events I have ever organized. Thanks to Kevin’s “Performance Art” in addition to his wonderful art work, we had a dragon/lion dance in the gallery. It was a moment to remember. Another favorite was the Artist’s solo show at Aqua Art Miami entitled “Uncensored.” We love showing cutting edge artists and challenging work.
Interviewer: What’s your current exhibition?
MM: I am currently exhibiting work of the artist, HEKTAD. The theme he underscores is love. He embraces the “love” theme and wants to spread it throughout the city with a sense of mission. So, if you come to the gallery, you will see our current show called “Love Signs,” which are artistically-rendered street signs. For example, instead of saying” one way,” a sign may say “one love.”
Wonderful thing about our artists is they’re spreading wonderful ideas and good messages. One of the mantras for the Lower East Side is “LES is more. Explore.”
About Mark Miller Gallery:
Mark Miller Gallery is a contemporary art gallery on Lower East Side of Manhattan, dedicated to showcasing emerging and established artists. Established in 1998, MMG foresaw the Lower East Side (LES) as a mecca for the arts.
Markmillergallery.com • Email • Instagram
About Kevin Berlin:
Kevin Berlin is an international artist best known for painting, sculpture, and performance. Berlin currently lives in Southampton, New York and Florence, Italy. Berlin, a Yale University Alumnus, studied at the Slade School of Fine Art and has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Shanghai Daily, The Miami Herald, Tokyo Television, BBC Radio and over 40 television stations. Berlin’s works are found in collections including Kim Basinger, Luciano Pavarotti, Bill and Hillary Clinton, President George W. Bush, Quincy Jones, Buzz Aldrin, Henry Buhl, and HRH Princesse Antonella de Orleans-Bourbon. Berlin’s recent solo exhibitions include shows in Miami, New York, London and the Hague.
Kevinberlin.com • Instagram
Image descriptions: All photos Mark Miller Gallery
Kevin Berlin, “Tomato #3”, gouache, handcut paper, pencil signed, 9 x 10.5 in., (framed), 2022. Collection # 40 / 56
Kevin Berlin, “Tomato Dream”, gouache, handcut paper, pencil signed, 9 x 10.5 in., (framed), 2022. Collection # 1 / 56
Rooster, Kevin Berlin “Fresh Tomatoes!” installation. Mark Miller Gallery, Hamptons Fine Art Fair, July 14-17, 2022
Artist Kevin Berlin, “Fresh Tomatoes!” installation. Mark Miller Gallery, Hamptons Fine Art Fair, July 14-17, 2022
Mark Miller and Artist Kevin Berlin, “Fresh Tomatoes!” installation. Mark Miller Gallery, Hamptons Fine Art Fair, July 14-17, 2022⏤