Phoenix’s prestigious Bentley Gallery (bentleygallery.com) has much to celebrate this year, including its impressive 40th anniversary. Here, founder and owner Bentley Calverley paints us a delicious picture.
Where does your love of art stem from?
I grew up in a NYC suburb so I was fortunate to have all of the museums a stone’s throw away. I spent my Saturdays at museums and galleries and quickly appreciated that art transported me emotionally and physically. It gets in your soul.
Some of your favorite artists right now?
I recently experienced an enormous El Anatsui in Houston that was almost overwhelming in size and literally took my breath away. In Florence last week, I was once again beguiled by gigantic Louise Bourgeois spiders. Woods Davy is once more creating amazing Cantamars and Jan Maarten Voskuil is sending us bigger and more complex pieces.
This year marks the gallery’s 40th anniversary. What exhibitions stand out?
So many great ones. I loved when Pat Steir painted our walls and when Jim Dine allowed us to show sculptures he created for the Venice Biennale, which had never been seen in the U.S.
How has the city’s art scene changed over time?
Like the city itself, it’s grown—not only in the number of galleries but in the wide array of styles. I believe that The Valley’s increasing diversity is one of our biggest assets.
Talk to us about the new Artisan Palate Series.
It began with a simple yet ambitious premise: transforming the visual language of art into a gastronomic dialogue. Image how a chef interprets what he sees into what he thinks it would taste and feel like. Does the texture of the art make the food granular or smooth? Does the color make it hot or cool? What does it smell like? Art may be a universal language, but it is interpreted individually.
Photography by: JOHN DOWD AT CLUTCH PHOTOS
