Women of Abstract Expressionism
Tracking the evolving historical narrative of Abstract Expressionism, Berry Campbell arrives at Art Basel Miami Beach with a presentation of previously marginalized female powerhouses, including a stunning 1969 portrait by Elaine de Kooning, a rare Alice Baber triptych from 1972 and works by Lynne Drexler, Mary Abbott, Sonia Gechtof and others.
“Not so long ago, many of these artists were still relegated to the margins of art history; however, through collective efforts of research and promotion, there has been a resurgence of interest in the work of women artists of this time,” the gallery said. The exhibit comes at a time of growing interest in female artists more broadly. According to Art Basel’s collecting survey, the share of works by female artists in the collections of high net worth individuals rose to a ratio of 44% versus male artists’ works in 2024, up from 33% in 2018.
The de Kooning, Kaldis with Scarves, is a portrait of artist Aristodimos Kaldis, one of her favorite subjects. In it, de Kooning captures Kaldis with kinetic energy and gestural bravado, centering on Kaldis's silk scarves, which cascade around his neck in a riot of jewel tones. De Kooning's brushwork is both aggressive and intimate, building the composition with swift, decisive strokes that capture not just Kaldis's physical presence but his larger-than-life personality. The piece sold at Christies one year ago for $138,600.
