Sawubona: I See You

Photo Credit: Alon Skuy

Vernissage: December 5, 6-9 PM
December 6, 12-5 PM and 7-9 PM
December 7, 2-9 PM
December 8, 2-5 PM

Location: Temple Emanu-El
1701 Washington Ave, Miami Beach
Please enter through the Washington Ave entrance

Sawubona: I See You invites viewers to embark on a journey through the rich visual and cultural landscape of South Africa, presenting an intimate and multifaceted portrait of South African life. The word "Sawubona," an everyday greeting in Zulu that means "I see you," offers a poignant lens through which to approach this exhibition. Here, "seeing" transcends the simple act of looking; it calls for an encounter, an acknowledgment of the stories, struggles, resilience, and beauty embedded within each piece.

In this exhibition, a diverse selection of paintings, drawings, and photographs—most of which come from the collection of Dr. Jeffrey Apter, neuroscientist, art collector, and founder of Apter Art—reflects the depth and complexity of South African society. Through these works, artists reveal the pulse of South Africa, capturing scenes of daily life, intimate family moments, and the textured, vibrant communities that make up its social fabric.

The installation of a large clothesline, strung across the gallery and adorned with garments worn by multiple generations of South African families, further contextualizes the exhibition. The clothesline, a common sight across the globe, serves as a powerful yet humble symbol of shared humanity, bridging the space between continents and cultures. Each article of clothing on the line carries the imprint of lives lived, stories told, and traditions passed down. This installation not only contextualizes the artwork but also anchors it in the universal, echoing the exhibition’s invitation to “see” South Africa not as something distant or foreign but as intrinsically linked to our own experiences.

By centering the theme of “I see you,” Sawubona challenges us to move beyond preconceived notions and assumptions, fostering a space of recognition, respect, and connection. As we walk through this collection, we are reminded that art, like the clothesline, connects us across vast distances. It is an expression of identity and humanity, an invitation to see, understand, and ultimately to be seen.

Featured Artists: Happy Dhlame, Cassius Khumalo, Andile Komanisi, Asanda Kupa, John Vusi Mfupi, Alon Skuy

Curated by Stacy Conde

The Space in Between

Conde Contemporary is making a highly anticipated return to Coral Gables for a special three-day exhibition, "The Space in Between," from Friday, October 4th at 6:00 PM through Sunday, October 6th at 5:00 PM. Hosted at 212 Miracle Mile, this exhibition delves into themes of belonging, home, and the personal journey of returning to familiar places that have evolved with time.

Curated by gallery owner Stacy Conde, the exhibition explores the intricate balance between past and present, and how we exist in a "space in between"—where we are both connected to our origins and evolving into our future selves. At the core of this reflection is the metaphor of the silver cord, symbolizing the enduring bond between one’s birthplace and their chosen home. Much like quantum entanglement, this connection transcends physical distance, keeping us tethered to our origins even as we explore new territories.

The featured artists—Rubén Torres Llorca, Courtney Egan, Ciro Quintana, Andrés Conde, Kevin Sloan, Giovanni Gellona, Ruth Owens, René Portocarrero, Pablo Santibáñez Servat, Ernesto Capdevila, Danco Duportai Garcia, Henry Rodriguez Bíenes, and Aimee Perez— bring a dynamic blend of mediums and narratives to the exhibition, from evocative sculptures to thought-provoking paintings and new media works. Their pieces invite the viewer into a dialogue about duality, belonging, and the tension of returning home.

Stacy Conde, reflecting on her own personal journey, shares: "This exhibition is deeply personal, marking my first return to Miami since moving during the pandemic. It will be bittersweet I’m sure, bridging the space between my past and present, while reconnecting with the artists I’ve long represented and introducing new voices in primarily New Media. 'The Space in Between' speaks to the tension of belonging, where home feels both familiar and transformed, mirroring my own experience as well as the shared experiences of so many in Miami."

This event would not be possible without the generous support of Mindy McIlroy, President of Terranova, and Terranova Corporation, who continue to champion the arts in Miami. Their commitment to nurturing Miami’s cultural scene has made this return to Coral Gables possible.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Conde Contemporary back to Miracle Mile. The gallery’s return is a momentous occasion, bringing with it an exhibition that reflects the themes of identity and transformation meaningful to Miami’s diverse community,” said Mindy McIlroy, president of Terranova. “We believe this pop-up will be a great success and a memorable moment for Stacy, the artists, and the community at large,” she added.

In an exciting collaboration, pastry chefs Molly Manning and Christian Velez, finalists from Food Network’s Spring Baking Challenge, will represent Natchez, MS, and South Florida respectively. They will come together to create a conceptual hors d’oeuvre that represents the exhibition’s theme of "being in two places at once." Sponsored by Natchez Food and Wine Festival, the City of Natchez and Natchez Gallery Suites, their culinary creation will add a multi-sensory layer of culinary art to the event, evoking the exhibition’s themes through flavor and presentation.

Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to experience "The Space in Between" and engage with works that question and redefine the concept of home and identity.

Dates & Times:

• Opening Reception: Friday, October 4th from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Saturday October 7th: from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

• Closing: Sunday, October 6th from 12:00PM - 5:00 PM

  Location: 212 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
  

Noah Saterstrom : What Became of Dr. Smith? A dual splintering of mind and history.

The Burning of JT Smith Drugstore, Donaldsonville, Louisiana, 1904
Noah Saterstrom

Conde Contemporary is delighted to present the work of Noah Saterstrom in the online solo exhibition, "What Became of Dr. Smith? A dual splintering of mind and history". The Artsy exclusive exhibition and online viewing room, run from February 12th thorough March 14th on Artsy.net.

Raised in Natchez, Mississippi and educated at Scotland’s Glasgow School of Art, Saterstrom's series "What Became of Dr. Smith" is an ongoing series of paintings about his great grandfather, an itinerant optometrist in Mississippi, whose mental illness, criminal transgressions and subsequent disappearance resulted in his near full erasure from the family history.

"With the 'What Became of Dr. Smith' series, Noah is attempting to piece together a visual timeline of his great grandfather's life. The resulting images are hauntingly beautiful and surreal. Many of the subjects appear ephemeral, as though they may disappear into dust at any moment", said Stacy Conde, Director of Conde Contemporary, "Noah has a way of capturing ghosts on canvas, with exact yet loose strokes and a genuine mastery of light."

"I, armed with a sheaf of ancestral photographs and first-person written accounts, and in conjunction with the help of Mississippi’s State Librarian, have been searching state, local and private archives for evidence of Dr. Smith’s life", said Saterstrom.

Painting is a slippery and non-linear medium, which makes it uniquely suited to this inherently fractured and disjointed story. Dr. Smith’s tale is rendered in a series of narrative paintings that are united in their disordered reflection of a dual splintering of mind and history. Much of the imagery is derived directly from family photograph albums from the years before Dr. Smith’s disappearance.

"The series so far has produced hundreds of small “study” paintings as well as the collection of larger works that I’m delighted to show here with Conde Contemporary. The culmination of this body of work will be shown at the Mississippi Museum of Art in 2023”, stated Saterstrom.

COCO in LA!

Girl on Couch, 2020
oil on linen
Darian Mederos

Miami, FL - January 23, 2020 - The 25th Annual LA Art Show, the most comprehensive international art show in America, will officially kick-off the city's art season at the Los Angeles Convention Center February 5, 2020. This year will be the largest lineup of art and programming in the city's history, with the LA Art Show Leading the way.

Conde Contemporary, a Coral Gables based art gallery specializing in representational works has been selected to participate. Conde Contemporary shows works by international artists but maintains its Miami focus. "We have an international program but actively seek to represent local artists, of the 16 artists we work with regularly, 11 are based here in Miami", says gallery director Stacy Conde, "We're delighted to expand their audience and show them again this year in LA." 


Six Views of The Sea, 2020
acrylic on canvas
Kevin Sloan

Conde, and by extension the gallery, champions artists with strong technique. "Imagination is half the battle, getting what you imagine out of your head and sharing it with the rest of the world through visual art, in whatever form that takes, is the other half. The visual should stand alone in my opinion, the artist's statement should add to the experience, but if the visual expression is so lacking that one must read a book to understand what is before them, then the visual communication between artist and viewer has failed."



"Our artists possess a high level of technical skill across their chosen disciplines and styles, their ability to execute their visions are strong", she continued, "There's been a movement toward representational art for some time now. 'The Comedian' by Maurizio Cattalan this year at Art Basel was the art world's very own 'Mili Vanilli' moment. If he was speaking on the rampant absurdity in contemporary art, he succeeded brilliantly."



Conde Contemporary will highlight painting and sculpture by : Françoise de Felice, Darian Mederos, Ernesto Capdevila, Cesar Orrico, Kevin Sloan, Ruben Torres Llorca, Andres Conde, José Bedia, Pablo Santibáñez Servat, and Adrian Avila.

Visit the Conde Contemporary Booth, 1109/1208. The LA Art Show runs from February 5th - February 9th.

From The Series : Landscapes of the Mind
oil on canvas
Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio

Scorpio 1969

Detail: “Blind Faith” Adrian Avila

We are born at a given moment in a given place and like vintage years of wine we have the qualities of the year and of the season in which we are born. Astrology does not lay claim to anything else. – C.G.Jung

Simply stated, “Scorpio 1969” is a group exhibition featuring 50 works by some of my favorite artists: Anthony Ardavin, JC Arana, Adrian Avila, José Bedia, Ernesto Capdevila, Andres Conde, Elaine Del Cerro Yau, Danco Duportai Garcia, Natasha Kertes, Darian Mederos, Raiman Rodriguez Moya, Pablo Santibáñez Servat, Enrique Toledo, Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio, and Ruben Torres Llorca.

Join us Thursday, November 7th from 6-9pm at Conde Contemporary, 204 Miracle Mile, for an exquisite trip into the subconscious and celebration of my particular vintage, “Scorpio 1969”.

Look forward to seeing you!

- S

Idols of The Tribe

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We welcome you to join us on Thursday, April 18th from 6-9 pm at 204 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables for the opening of the experiential group exhibition “Idols of The Tribe”. Featured artists include : Anthony Ardavin, José Bedia, Ernesto Capdevila, Andres Conde, Elaine Del Cerro Yau, Natasha Kertes, Andy Llanes Bulto, Laura Luna, Darian Mederos, Mariana Monteagudo, Luis Rodriguez Noa, Enrique Toledo, Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio and Ruben Torres Llorca. “Idols of The Tribe” runs through May 30th. Call to schedule a private viewing.

“On a recent Thursday night, the Conde Contemporary Gallery on Miracle Mile held the opening for its new show, “Idols of the Tribe,” a collection of symbolic and magical realism works mostly by Cuban and Latin American painters and sculptors. If the gallery scene in the Gables is dead, no one bothered to tell the more than 400 people who came through the gallery that night.” — JP FARBER, CORAL GABLES MAGAZINE

“The father of the scientific method, Sir Francis Bacon, tells us to disregard our idols, for they are a logical fallacy. Only his brand of science understands reality, and generations of men will use it to dominate nature, rendering her, in his words, “the slave of mankind”. 

‘The Idols of the Tribe have their foundation in human nature itself, and in the tribe or race of men. For it is a false assertion that the sense of man is the measure of things. On the contrary, all perceptions as well of the sense as of the mind are according to the measure of the individual and not according to the measure of the universe. And the human understanding is like a false mirror, which, receiving rays irregularly, distorts and discolors the nature of things by mingling its own nature with it.’  — Sir Francis Bacon, Novum Organum, Aphorism XLI

Ancient wisdom tells us that perception is in fact reality, and so now does quantum physics.  Isn't it possible that the measure of the universe was built into the minds of humans, as we ourselves are built of the universe?

Quantum physics has proven the act of observing "things" changes them. The cold, disconnected, and totally objective fantasy of science simply does not exist. If everything we view is distorted and discolored, and mixed with our own nature by simply looking at it, then there is no pure form of nature, at least none we can experience, on any level, and if there is no pure form, only we can be the measure of things based on our individual experiences.  

It is no secret the guardians of ancient wisdom have often been women. Guardians of a sort of knowledge that flew in the face of Bacon’s arguments. Is it a coincidence Bacon was directly involved in witch trials? Should we ignore his participation in the 300 year long genocide of women? Does his language of power, torture, domination and the sexual violation of nature (referred to with feminine pronouns) mean anything, or was it just a sign of the times?

We embrace our idols, and we choose them wisely. We are creating universes. I’ve always known this, but then I’m a woman. You can believe me now because science agrees.”

S. Conde