It’s not easy for Gallery 98 to keep vintage art ephemera in stock. The best items sell quickly, and it’s becoming harder to find great new ones to replace what has sold. Fortunately, there are art lovers like Bodi Lucas, who back in the 1980s amassed a large collection of gallery cards and publications connected to the East Village art scene, and who now has reached the stage when he is ready to part with prized items.
In 1983 Bodi Lucas was a successful advertising photographer in his mid-30s when he started buying art from East Village dealers such as Gracie Mansion, Tim Greathouse, and Colin de Land. With a monthly purchasing budget of $10,000, he quickly filled his Bank Street triplex with works by Arch Connelly, Jean Lowe, David Wojnarowicz, Marcus Leatherdale and others. Bodi treasured the art that he collected but he also set great store by the announcement cards, posters and catalogues that the galleries mailed to him. His collection of art ephemera was like a diary that fully preserved his experiences in the East Village art world of the 80s.
Bodi’s art ephemera collection has allowed Gallery 98 to refresh its inventory. This email newsletter features some of the rare items that we previously sold and have now replaced. You can also check our New Additions page where we post new items on a daily basis.
Stephen Sprouse, 56 Bleeker Gallery, 1989
56 Bleeker Gallery, Stephen Sprouse, Oversized Card, 1989. Size: 8 x 8 Inches
It is no surprise that the downtown fashion designer Stephen Sprouse was also an exhibiting artist since his line of clothing was especially noteworthy for its use of printed fabrics. This exhibition at 56 Bleeker included a series of paintings and silkscreens featuring a crucified Iggy Pop.
Futura 2000, Semaphore, 1986
Semaphore, Futura 2000, Card, 1986. Size: 6.5 x 5.75 Inches
This popular Futura 2000 card features a second Futura illustration on its reverse side. There is also a Futura designed invitation card for the party at the Palladium that took place after the exhibition opening.
Limelight, Art Against Apartheid, 1986
Limelight, Basquiat, Dondi, Afrika Bambaataa, Art Against Apartheid Benefit, Three Fold Flyer, February 1986. Unfolded Size: 8.5 x 22 inches — Available for Purchase
The Limelight’s Art Against Apartheid benefit featured art by Basquiat, Haring, Dondi and Lady Pink; fashion by Betsey Johnson and Willie Smith; and music by Africa Bambaattaa, and Defunct.
Lady Pink, Semaphore East, 1986
Semaphore East, Lady Pink, Card, 1986. Size: 5.5 x 8 Inches
This card for Lady Pink’s second exhibition at Semaphore reproduces one of the rare acrylic brush paintings that she made when for a short period a hand injury forced her to temporarily abandon using aerosol spray cans.
Richard Hambleton, Milford Gallery, 1988
Milford Gallery, Richard Hambleton, Original Mini Screen Print With Rubber Stamps on Tissue-like Paper, 1988. Size: 6.25 x 7.5 Inches — Available for Purchase
For his Milford Gallery exhibition, Richard Hambleton created unique mini-screen prints using gold leaf and silver leaf on thin tissue paper. Hambleton’s name and the gallery information were added later using rubber stamps. No two invitations are exactly alike. You can compare this print with the three previously sold ones.
Jimmy DeSana, Art Uncensored, Tunnel, 1987
Tunnel, Jimmy DeSana, Invitation for “Art Un-Censored”, Card, 1987. Size: 8.5 x 5.5 Inches — Available for Purchase
The censoring of a Jimmy DeSana photograph by the Nassau County Museum was the inspiration for this fun nightclub “protest” event at the Tunnel. You can read the full story by clicking on the card link above.
Steven Hager, Art after Midnight, Out-of-Print Book, 1986
Steven Hager, “Art after Midnight: The East Village Scene,” 134 pages, plus seven-page color-photograph insert, 1986. Size: 8.5 x 11 Inches — Available for Purchase
This long out-of-print book by journalist Steven Hager is an important primary source for information about the East Village scene. It consists of interviews done in the heat of the moment and filled with rare photographs taken at the time.
