We don’t know about you, but for us the art world sometimes feels like an intangible parallel universe meant to stay exclusive to only those who are “in the know.” It’s a tale as old as time that these two students at Parsons School of Design in New York were ready to change. Samantha Ratiner and Charles Royle decided to challenge the status quo and try to do away with the elusiveness of the art industry. After struggling to find great art for her NYC apartment, Samantha did what any resourceful 20-something would do. She tapped into her built-in network: other art students. Soon, her rental became a student gallery of sorts, leaving friends envious and craving more.
Enter Medium Rare Art, an online platform that sells the work of undiscovered, emerging artists. But showcasing student art isn’t the only thing Samantha and Charles care about—providing artists with proper representation remains a top priority. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship that creates a non-shady point of entry for up-and-coming artists while allowing consumers to invest in great art with the click of a button. Keep on scrolling (and maybe amp up your art collection while you’re at it) to get to know some of the Medium Rare artists we’re excited about.
Chanel Khoury
Get lost staring into Chanel’s painting “Dreamhaus.” It’s the alternate universe of our dreams.
Courtesy of Medium Rare Art
Chanel is a New York artist who uses several mediums to depict different levels of consciousness. “The design- and aesthetic-based elements of my works are derived from my subconscious. It is not about the object as a material or a purely functional thing; instead, it is about this object as a being, as something which allows my mind to associate feelings, touch, memories, and more with it—much more than words ever could,” says Chanel of her art.
Alex Moore
Step up your gallery wall game with Alex’s enticing polaroids.
Courtesy of Medium Rare Art
Focusing solely on film and polaroid photography, University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design graduate Alex Moore often calls on compelling strangers as subjects. “I see many faces on a daily basis,” says Alex when talking about living in bustling New York City. “Out of this constant stream of strangers, I find certain people always stand out in the crowd. It’s not necessarily the tallest, skinniest, or most photogenic of the lot, but rather the energy they exude that draws me towards them.”
Kim Arrow
Let your imagination run wild when staring into the empty face of Kim’s “Universal Woman.” Who do you see?
Courtesy of Medium Rare Art
“At first, I played around with the idea on Photoshop, literally photoshopping out a shape off my cluttered palette and placing it on a wall, which then led me down the rabbit hole of translating that idea into the real and large scale. So while the pieces look abstract, they’re true to life depictions of moments on an artist’s palette,” says the School of Visual Arts graduate of her unique use of MDF board.
Trevor James
A dreamy photograph to keep you yearning for summer all year round.
Courtesy of Medium Rare Art
“It’s impossible to be an artist in today’s society and create work in a bubble. Everything has a meaning. I don’t start working to create a final visual product until I have a grasp on the purpose behind the work,” notes James of his gender-focused work. The New York–based fashion and portrait photographer produces innovative content that evokes conversation and demands a double-take.
Nic Etue
Play Tetris on your living room wall with these three unique paintings by Nic Etue.
Courtesy of Medium Rare Art
“I don’t think my paintings say much, which is part of their point,” says Nic Etue, a native of L.A.’s San Fernando Valley. “Everyone will see something different, depending on what they bring to the table. Artists don’t control how their work is read, just what’s there.” Nic’s paintings beg you to stand before them and stare for hours, each minute finding something new to interpret.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest