Frontier Boys Miami Basel Special Report & Local Joint 12 | Waldorf, Maryland

2023 MIAMI ART BASEL SPECIAL REPORT

I’m always looking for an excuse to be in Miami—Art Basel being my latest.

And even after a 5am Frontier flight, an 8 hour layover in Dallas, and getting assigned middle seat, I landed in Miami for my 3rd straight Art Basel smiling ear to ear.

Art Basel is oddly fascinating. The entire city turns into a collection of event tents scattered from Wynwood to South Beach, endless lines and impossible guest lists, and Uber Drivers who will gladly leave you blocks from your destination if it means escaping the insane traffic. So, why do over a million people travel to Miami each year to be apart of a seemingly miserable week?

Well first, it’s Miami. In December. Few places better to be this time of year.

Secondly, it’s a sign of credibility across the art world. Work is shown, meetings are had, and deals get done. If you’re not there, someone else is. Simple as that.

And finally - and most importantly - behind all of the sponsored signage, private dinner parties, and other Basel nonsense, there does exist a creative competition that pushes the envelope unlike any other art fair I’ve been to.

I mean where else could a 24hr recap include Japanese women’s wrestling at a skatepark, a beach party, nearly 10 art fairs, and a pocket full of business cards. But, that’s Basel. Love it or hate it.

And before you even notice, the week is over, your feet and back hurt. Eyes are sunken in, and your caloric intake was either 500 or 5,000 depending on if the events had food or not. But it’s never not worth it.

I’m always sad to leave Miami. It’s where Jackson and I started The Studio, and has now become my second home filled with amazing friends and memories.

Luckily, I’ll have another excuse to be back soon. Just need to think of one…

Oh, I obviously need to connect with Adam Greener—check out his work below.

The most absurd work I crossed at any of the fairs. But maybe exactly what the art world needs?

Cheers.

Blake, a Frontier Boy

Long before Blake was surveying flights to Miami for Basel, we were in Maryland eating BBQ with one of our favorite painters—Glenn Hardy Jr.

_{Click above to watch Local Joints Episode 12}

Outside of his dad’s food truck, G-Rod’s Jerk Ribs & BBQ, we pulled up two chairs and unpacked Glenn’s non traditional path to where he is now.

Completely self-taught, Glenn often paints idealized scenes—a world of black figures existing not only in comfort, but in triumph. Free from the burdens of racial stereotypes, Glenn’s work shows what is possible and replaces the negative depictions of American black life. 

Like his work, Glenn’s life is a testament to what is possible. See, Glenn never thought he’d be an artist. But, a trip to a museum, combined with his ingenious mentality, allowed him to break into the barrier filled art world. 

He hasn’t looked back since.

A special thank you to Glenn and the whole Hardy family for treating us like family.

That’s it from us for now. Talk from the road.

🏃‍♂️ 

-Jack

P.S. Feel free to respond and let us know where you’d like to see us go next.