June 2, 2021
A Maira Kalman Pop-up Show at Julie Saul Projects
A Maira Kalman Pop-up Show is running now through June 12 at Julie Saul Projects in the historic St. James Building (1133 Broadway at 26th Street). The show features 17 new paintings and one print from “Women Holding Things & Artists in Their Studio.” For fans of David Byrne’s American Utopia, two collages and one print from this landmark production are on view. Kalman’s artist statement explains that her work is “a narrative journal of her life and all its absurdities.”
Maira Kalman is a renowned artist and author whose illustrations have graced the covers of New Yorker magazine for over two decades. She has written and illustrated a number of children’s books, published in the New York Times, and collaborated on books with Michael Pollan and Daniel Handler.
Julie Saul maintained commercial galleries in SoHo and Chelsea beginning in 1986. Adapting to the times, Saul moved her consulting and curatorial business to the St. James Building in the heart of NoMad. From Nomad, she continues to organize and curate shows as pop-ups and at institutions, as well as public and private commissions.
Saul has been the exclusive representative of Maira Kalman for two decades. They met when Kalman’s iconic New Yorker cover, “New Yorkistan,” created with Rick Meyerowitz, appeared shortly after 9/11. Saul was taken with Kalman’s wit and distinctive point of view and contacted Kalman. Saul points out, “It was one of the first real laughs I had after 9/11.” As New York stories go, they quickly learned they lived a few blocks from each other in Greenwich Village. Two decades later, Kalman’s following has grown significantly. And Saul is as enthusiastic about Kalman’s work as ever.
For Kalman’s current show, Saul has expanded her footprint in the St. James Building using the space next door. “The culture of the building is nice – it feels like it’s a family-run organization,” notes Saul. She appreciates the flexibility offered by Kew Management, the family-owned business behind The St. James, as well as the historic Townsend Building.
Saul moved from her galleries in SoHo and Chelsea to NoMad in 2019. A friend and architect, John Keenan, recommended the St. James. The building’s creative vibe and architectural soul attract many architects and designers, which make the location even better in Julie Saul’s eyes.
Julie Saul Projects’ Maira Kalman Pop-up Show at the historic St. James building embodies so much of what makes New York, New York. The personal connections, the history, and the culture create an alchemy that’s pure Manhattan magic.
Kalman’s work can be seen by appointment through June 12.
Maira Kalman Pop-Up Show
April 17 – June 12
10:30 – 5:30, Wednesday and Saturday
By Appointment Only
Click the link below to reserve your appointment
Click here to make a reservation
212-627-2410