Alice Mackler is as close to a contemporary art darling as they come. The New York-based painter and sculptor had her first solo show last year, as well as her first review mention by art critic extraordinaire, Roberta Smith. The attention opened the floodgates for media outlets like Timeout to describe her works as radiating with "personality, vigor and a subversive ambiguity."
Did we mention she's 82 years old?
Alice Mackler, untitled, 1968, oil on canvas, 24.5 x 20.5 inches
Yes, the octogenarian experienced a wave of positive reviews after her first art show at the ripe age of 81. Despite the fact that she'd been practicing art in New York since the 1950s, her career has only just reached unprecedented heights in the last few years, bringing her beautiful mess of amorphous sculptures, Matisse-like paintings and scrap-happy collages to the forefront of Manhattan galleries.
Alice Mackler, untitled 2014, glazed ceramic, 9 x 4 x 5 inches
This month, Mackler is continuing her love affair with the New York art scene at the 2014 Independent Art Fair, one of the various festivals taking over the shores and streets of NYC this week. Situated in the heart of Chelsea's gallery district, the 5th edition of the fair boasts a roster of over 50 international institutions from 14 countries. Mackler, a crowd favorite thus far, is showcasing her early paintings dating back to 1968 as well as a series of new, never before shown sculptures.
Alice Mackler, untitled, 1968, oil on canvas, 26.5 x 20.5 inches
The works, pulsing with color and exaggerated form, gravitate toward the subject of the female form. "It is not intentional. I love being female," Mackler explained in an email interview with The Huffington Post. "I could not live with the male sex." They harken back to great art figures like Paul Klee and Helen Frankenthaler, combining Klee's devotion to line and Frankenthaler's dreamy color palette.
Alice Mackler, untitled 2014, glazed ceramic, 12 x 7 x 6 inches
Mackler -- ever aware of her late-in-life success -- exudes confidence in both the creation of her alien characters and the ways in which she discusses her career. Her personality glows from behind her artwork, the expressionless creatures that toy with the crudeness of texture and the ability of humans to see themselves in the most ambiguous forms.
"I feel more comfortable with my work now, and I know that I am doing the best work in 2104," she said, before offering up advice to young artists today. "Keep on working, and tell yourself that you are a better artist than anyone else."
Alice Mackler, untitled, 1968, oil on canvas, 16.5 x 20.5 inches
The artist's works will be on view at the Independent Art Fair, known for its anti-fair model, striving to build the feel of a group exhibition open to both commerce and dialogue, until March 9. Mackler, a newbie in the fair world, had this to say about the event: "I've never been to [a fair], but I have a good feeling that it would be a wonderful way for unknown artists to a make a name for themselves."
Alice Mackler, untitled 2014, glazed ceramic, 11.5 x 8 x 6 inches
Alice Mackler, untitled, 1968, oil on canvas, 20.5 x 16.5 inches
All images courtesy of the artist and Kerry Schuss, New York
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.