In the ever-evolving dialogue between art and architecture, few conversations are as compelling as the one that unfolds when Talley Dunn enters the scene. An exceptional gallerist with a deep understanding of both disciplines, Dunn has long been a steward of artistic expression and curating spaces. Her latest venture—a collaboration with Stacy Jacobsen of SJ Studio to transform a Frank Welch-designed home into a living, breathing gallery. In this interview, Dunn reflects on the nuances of curating within Welch’s iconic spaces, the considerations that guide her selections, and the harmonious interplay between the art and the environments it inhabits.
PATRON: You recently partnered with Stacy Jacobsen of SJ Studio to curate art into her Frank Welch-designed home. How did this partnership come about?
Talley Dunn: I was thrilled when Stacy reached out to me. She had been focusing on the renovation of the home and the interior design; however, the Janus House was a blank slate when it came to the artwork. As our daughters are in school together, she reached out to me about the possible collaboration regarding the artwork. I was so excited that she turned over the art selection and placement to myself and our gallery co-director Trini Martinez.
P: You’ve worked with numerous collectors who have homes designed by the legendary architect. What sets Welch’s homes apart, and what elements make these historic homes the perfect setting for an art collection?
TD: I was so fortunate to know Frank Welch throughout much of my career. I have had the tremendous honor to experience his brilliant architecture and pair artwork in keeping with his unique vision. His homes have the most wonderful light and relationship with the outdoors. They are the ideal setting for many of the artists that we represent, and their artwork comes alive in the homes he has designed.
P: Gallery director Trini Martínez worked alongside you and your team to curate the art culled from twenty represented artists in varied mediums for An Evening of Art and Architecture: Celebrating the Work of Frank Welch. What considerations were made to complement the architecture, along with the interiors and custom furnishings by SJ Studio and antiques through JF Chen?
TD: Trini Martinez has been with the gallery for over a decade, working closely with artists and collectors. He has an exceptional eye and his ability to envision artwork in future placements in unparalleled. When we visited the home for the first time, I knew that he would curate an exquisite selection of artwork with a sensitivity to the environment of a Frank Welch home and an eye for the very best art. He intentionally filled the home with art as if a collector had selected the artwork themselves. He placed over eighty works of art in the Janus House, telling a story of collecting as he intermingled artist from Ellsworth Kelly to Ursula Von Rydingsvard to Leonard Drew to Gabriel Dawe and Letitia Huckaby. His selection and placement of the artwork transformed the home.
P: Known as the Janus House, originally designed by Welch in 1985, the reimagined residence received the 2024 Preservation Achievement Award. The home’s signature arched passageways beautifully framed the art. Did you consider these focal points prior to placing the art?
TD: Absolutely. Trini Martinez has the extraordinary ability to imagine spaces with artwork prior to placement. He immediately had the ambitious idea to install Sedrick Huckaby’s A Living Sacrifice at the end of the entry. He knew that the statement would be bold; however, he also recognized that the architectural setting was perfect for this monumental sculpture by Huckaby. Trini had a similar vision with the placement of Floating Tree by Ori Gersht.He knew that there would be a wonderful relationship between the glass and gardens leading to the front door, and the Ori Gersht would be an outstanding artwork as the first impression when entering the home.
P: The home embraces its verdant creek-side surroundings. Will you tell us about the sculpture you placed outdoors?
TD: Trini Martinez selected unique bronze sculpture by Joseph Havel for the outdoor spaces. He paid particular attention to how these impressive sculptures would be seen outdoors as well as how the artwork would be experienced through the many windows of the home, looking back into the lush backyard. He knew that he wanted artwork to be a part of the outdoor setting as seen from all vantage points.
P: Will you share some of your favorite installations within the home? We absolutely love Sedrick Huckaby’s, A Living Sacrifice, made of newspaper pulp, and Ori Gersht’s White City 03, installed above the bed.
TD: Honestly, I loved so many of the placements throughout the home. Because Trini selected artwork as if it had been collected by a person or family, each space had a very special feel. I especially enjoyed the color and playful nature of the string works by Gabrie Dawe in the entry. I was also impressed by the relationship between the texture of the Leonardo Drew plaster work to the lushness of the Eva Lundsager painting in the dining room. Every room had an allure including the combination of Ellsworth Kelly’s Sarsaparilla with the delicate drawing on vellum by Joseph Havel. Upstairs, I especially enjoyed the series of outdoor images of Africatown, Alabama by Letitia Huckaby in between the windows overlooking the trees outside.
9 3/4h x 13 3/4w inches.
P: Welch homes are characterized by large window walls that embrace the natural surroundings. How did you take advantage of the wall of windows at the rear of the home and the natural light play?
TD: So many of the artists we represent create artwork that responds to nature. The windows are a signature element of Frank Welch’s homes that I have always adored. Therefore, playing upon the relationship between indoor and outdoor environments was natural for us. The placement of the Gabriel Dawe puzzle sculpture in the reading nook of the primary bedroom was especially delightful as was the dialogue between Ursula Von Rydingsvard’s exquisite sculptures made exclusively from cedar and the wooded surroundings.
P: The home, on the cover of PATRON’s Art & Design issue, features Gullfoss 1, a beautiful painting by Sam Reveles. Will you please tell us about the work and his upcoming show Beyond the Pale opening September 7 at the gallery.
TD: Sam’s painting is truly a showstopper in this home. It was so excited for us to see this painting outside of the gallery walls. It simply came alive in the Janus House. We have worked with Sam for over twenty years, and he is an extraordinary abstract painter who received his MFA in painting from Yale and had shown in the prestigious Whitney Biennial. While Sam grew up in El Paso, he now lives in a small town in Ireland where he has his studio and make the most incredible paintings. We are thrilled to be opening an exhibition of his most recent paintings and drawings from his studio in Ireland on Saturday, September 7th. He will be here from Ireland for the opening and will share artist remarks that same evening. We hope that everyone will join us for this special occasion to celebrate his outstanding work.
P: Will you share some of your future projects and installations?
TD: Yes! In October we will open a major exhibition for internationally recognized artist Jacob Hashimoto. This exhibition marks his inaugural show with the gallery, and it is going to be spectacular. For this exhibition, Jacob will create a monumental site-specific installation that will hang from the gallery ceiling with thousands of hand-painted elements in his signature kite design. He will also be exhibiting wall works and unique works on paper. Following Jacob Hashimoto, we will have another enormous installation by the legendary artist Sedrick Huckaby. This exhibition will reflect upon the artists time in Nacimiento, Mexico during his recent Fulbright Fellowship.