News

If there is one thing Steven Hartman knows it’s his art! The owner of Contessa Gallery immediately recognized something special about Cayla Birk.’s works.  Exclusively showcased at Contessa Gallery, the young artist pays homage to historical events and characters in a contemporary style that is uniquely her own.  “I don’t normally champion emerging artists.  That’s not what our focus is, however, in this case it’s clear to me where her career is going to go.  She fits in with our roster of internationally recognized artists,” said Hartman.  

Based in  West Palm Beach, Cayla’s influences come from a wide array of writers, musicians, and epistemologists. The most prominent influences include Jack Kerouac, Ella Fitzgerald and Chuck Palahniuk. Each project consists of multiple works, often in a range of different media, grouped around specific themes and meanings.  Cayla’s works merge traditional acrylic paints with other unique materials; she transcends the confines of mixed media art to create a style all her own. A signature approach of intricate designs pervade all of Birk.’s body of work as her instantly recognizable gestures and marks boast austere verbiage and shroud depictions.    

“I allude to popular iconography, musical lyricism, and current verbal slang that pervade societal culture. Having engaged subjects as diverse as enlightened secret orders, hip-hop music and contemporary design, my work reproduces familiar visual signs, arranging them into new conceptually layered pieces,” says Cayla Birk..

Cayla’s work joins a specially curated collection of works by leading contemporary artists, including a very extensive selection by pop and street art sensation, Mr. Brainwash. Contessa Gallery is excited to showcase the artist’s continual revolutionary experimentation with new techniques, media, materials and subject matter. The special exhibition includes original Mr. Brainwash works on Wood, Metal, Brick, Cement, Canvas, Paper, Sculpture and Neon Light Mixed Media. The gallery also features artwork by David Drebin, Hijack and Gilles Cenazandotti.

Initially open by appointment only, the new Contessa Satellite Gallery is located at the corner of Clematis Street and Rosemary Avenue. To make an appointment or for more detailed information about this exciting exhibition, please visit: www.contessagallery.com  or contact Steve Hartman at 216-956-2825 or via email: art@contessagallery.com.

About Contessa Gallery

Founded in 1999, Contessa Gallery is a Fine Art Dealers Association member (FADA) that offers artworks of exceedingly high quality as well as art acquisition counsel to collectors, museums and institutions. Areas of expertise include pre-20th century, Modern and Contemporary sculpture, paintings, photography and works on paper. While many galleries focus primarily on artist representation and promotion, Contessa Gallery is collector focused. The gallery’s mission is to assist clients in developing collections that have deep personal meaning. Steve Hartman, owner of Contessa Gallery encourages his clients to view their collections as a legacy that can be passed down through generations or to art institutions.

Cayla Birk., Golden Rule Series: PALM BEACH, 2016

60 x 48 inches, Acrylic, Spray Paint, 3D Paint and Gold Leaf on Canvas

Cayla Birk., SHOEICIDE SERIES: A.D.I.D.A.S., 2017

48 X 48 inches, Acrylic, Spray Paint, 3D Paint and Gold Leaf on Canvas