Hello, Dali: Kent gallery to display prints and rare works

KENT — A rare work by a surrealist legend has come to town. The Robin Alexander Gallery will have a show of Salvador Dali limited edition prints and rare artwork until Monday, Dec. 21.

Some of the limited edition prints on display are for sale and were provided by Frank Davino, director of The Palette Fine Arts Gallery in Waterbury.

“As far as I know, this is the first major exhibit of Dali artwork in Connecticut in over 50 years,†Davino said. “I chose Kent for the exhibit because it is the center of art in the state. Kent is an art and artists’ colony. There is also a sophistication and appreciation of art in this town.â€

Collecting and selling works by Dali is more than just a livelihood for Davino; it’s also a personal passion.

“I have the largest private collection of Dali paintings held by anybody. My interest has become an obsession,†he said. “When you look at Dali, you have to look deep into yourself. You look at his artwork and wonder if you’ve crossed the same roads that he crossed. You look at his art and it’s like he’s pulling something out of your mind, whether it’s memories or emotions.â€

Alexander Gallery owner Ann Privee said Dali was one of the few artists who took advantage of a full freedom of expression.

One piece that is on display but not for sale is a Dali drawing found inside a reference book written about the artist.

The image covers two pages and is found in the book, “Dali de Gala.†It depicts a winged angel holding a rose and is titled “The Angel of Reconciliation.â€

The image was inscribed to Tolly Reviv, the producer of the documentary film, “Salvador Dali: A Soft Self-Portrait.â€

Davino said Dali’s wife, Gala, did not want her husband to make the film. Reviv eventually convinced her to allow her husband to move forward with the project. She even appears in several scenes.

As a token of his thanks, Dali signed the drawing for Reviv, who was The Angel of Reconciliation.

The Robin Alexander Gallery is at 5 Fulling Lane and is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.  

For more information call 203-376-7602 or e-mail ann@robinalexanderltd.com.

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less