#DIEGO_VOCI in #AMERICA

During a 1974 interview with John Krueger, about Antonio DIEGO Voci (1920-1985) he quotes DIEGO saying “I love America and the Americans”, enthuses Diego with the typical expansive gesture with his Fellini face in Mastroianni manner.” THAT WAS OUR DIEGO!!!

Writing for the #Stars_and_Stripes John further stated, “Diego’s productivity is the envy of other painters, and if he stays up all night these days it is to create at his easel. Mornings are for sleeping. Afternoons for sales. The ground floor of the house is a combination Studio & Gallery. American cars with their green U.S. Forces plates pull up and fill up with Diego Originals. I saw a young haired blue-jeaned officer squeezing wife son and newly-acquired Diego painting into a low-slung sports car. Many of the Americans come from neighboring Patrick Henry Village. They have seen Diego’s exhibits in German galleries or in the States. He travels regular to the US “where the art action is”. Helga and he drove coast-to-coast last fall and found “everything so colorful so panoramic.””

Wendy MAX at Columbus Centre in #Toronto, #Ontario, #Canada

Traveling to the Unites States of #America also combined trips to CANADA where Stephen and Wendy Max hosted DIEGO and Helga. Read more in our DVP July Newsletter:

NEWSLETTER (mailchi.mp)

Do you own a DIEGO artwork? COntact us: diegovociproject@gmail.com

#DIEGO #EXHIBITION 1981 #TORONTO, CANADA

Just over 40 years ago in Toronto Canada, Stephen and Wendy Max created an exhibit for Diego that was unprecedented on this continent. In the illustrious and exceptionally large Columbus Centre they presented Diego through their own Goldcrest Galleries LTD. Advertising in the Toronto Star the outreach was beyond what DIEGO had seen across the ocean. Stephen and Wendy new Diego well before they left Germany where Stephen was stationed with the Canadian Royal Air Force.

#DIEGO EXHIBITION #TORONTO, #CANADA 1981

#DIEGO EXHIBITION WENDY and STEPHEN MAX 1981

Little could we know that 30 years later Stephen and Coop Cooprider, Diego Voci Historian since 1974, would join forces to promote and enhance the legacy of Antonio Diego Voci (1920-1985). Stephen has since created our diegovociproject.com website, produced and published three books, over 40 videos, and promotes a free monthly newsletter. There is a great story about how Coop and Stephen connected in 1974 and didn’t know it. Read more here: https://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-voci-antonio-diego-voci-3984818/Page15.html#88728

KEEP AN EYE OUT! A HIDDEN GEM AWAITS YOU

Diego Voci; The Trial 38″x30″ Framed, oil painting Private Collection

 

We (The Diego Voci Project Team) just learned that James Thomson, Diego Voci Collector, acquired “The Trial” by internationally collected artist, Antonio Diego Voci (1920-1985) from an online Goodwill auction.

James shares;

“I purchased another oil painting by Diego. The canvas measures (31 X 23 inches), framed (38 X 30 inches). On the back is Diego printed and below that in English, the title ” The Trial ” which I assume is the trial of the Apostle’s Peter and John with them in the painting stands the cripple that they cured who stood up with Peter and John to defend the Apostles before the threatening Jewish Council. The Council asked them “By what power or in whose name did you do this?””

 This painting title “The Trial” was during the time the DIEGO signature began on his works (ca. 1966).  Diego began an exclusive contract to NAFFOUJ Gallery. The frame is the style commonly used by Naffouj for DIEGO as well as other artists. The biography on the back was written by Joy Gibson before she married Jawdat Naffouj. Joy now resides in Canada. Our estimation is the work is around 1966. The historical interpretation certainly to fits what James Thomson wrote.

Visit: The Diego Voci Project website!

 

THE MAX FAMILY IN CANADA!

An “excerpt” from the DIEGO VOCI NOVEMBER 2018 NEWSLETTER that Stephen Max (one of the DVP’s volunteers) creates for all of Diego Voci’s collectors as a way to stay connected to the Legacy of Diego Voci.

DIEGO VOCI NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 2018

COOP #COOPRIDER OFFERS $30K REWARD FOR #CLOWN by DIEGO

Diego Voci; oil on canvas

“This clown painted by the internationally collected artist Antonio “Diego” Voci, (1920-1985) was stolen in Otterbach, Germany in the early 1980’s from what was then my office.”
https://youtu.be/T3ODYMxxBdc

“The Clown” (medium size painting) was for me the icon representing the depth of Diego the man. Study this painting. Feel the pathos. You’ll begin to know the magnetism to which certain addicted collectors such as me succumb.”

“As the authorized Diego Voci Historian (volunteer) for the Diego Voci Estate, (solely owned by his widow, Helga Voci), we are looking forward to the day a generous benefactor sponsors a Major #Museum Diego Voci Exhibition.”

“See a 20 Year Diego Voci Retrospective Video curated by Stephen Max of Canada”: https://youtu.be/cnZXQuUbjlU

G. A. Coop Cooprider
Diego Voci Historian since 1973

 

“THE *DIEGO #POTATO #CHIP #PHENOMONEN”

Can you eat only one potato chip and stop?

Likely no. Many people similarly became addicted to a magnetic appeal of art by internationally collected artist Antonio Diego Voci (1920-1985). Many such collectors who had a dozen or more Diego’s have passed on, and the Diego art works have been scattered.

When Diego passed away back in 1985, Helga (Diego’s widow) had no idea that Diego’s life would create such a legacy to so many. Thanks to the internet, social media, and communication tools, Diego Voci collectors are being discovered every day.

Be a part of Diego Voci’s legacy, assist us (all volunteer) Diego Voci Project Team with locating Diego Voci’s works of art for the Diego Voci Estate Archive. They have been found as far a way as Brussels, Nicaragua, Philippines and Canada. Please email us at diegovociproject@gmail.com how you purchased your first painting, what prompted the second purchase, maybe the third.

Be a part of the Diego Voci Community.

 

Diego Voci; “Miraculous Catch” 1974 35 1/2 x 51 Private Collection 

 

“PLAYING CHILDREN”… WHERE IS IT NOW?

“PLAYING CHILDREN” by Diego Voci #4812-149, Oil on canvas 60x80cm

 “Playing Children” arrived from Germany, spring of 1981, in a shipment of several Diego Voci paintings for consignment with Stephen Max in Canada.  Diego Voci was exclusively represented by Stephen Max in Canada.  He was the gateway to Diego Voci’s limelight in Canada.  “Playing Children” was shipped for a major showing thru Van Zoolingen Gallery in Edmonton.  This particular painting was sold for $1250 within weeks of its arrival in Canada.

Diego, childlike, most of his life, enjoyed the sense of play in all that he did day to day.  His daughter Alessandra was 7 years old when this artwork was done in “Playing Children”, Diego captures the spirit of emotions from the inspiration he pulled from where ever he was.  Note the hula hoop.

Stephen Max, author of the “Beauty of Diego” http://www.blurb.com/books/5419805-the-beauty-of-diego

Any information about this painting please contact us at diegovociproject@gmail.com.

#DIEGO #SIGNATURES

To #historians of Antonio #Diego Voci, the DIEGO Signature began, about #1965 with an exclusive arrangement with Canadian art dealer Joy Gibson, and her soon to be husband Jawdat Naffouj.

See Signature Gallery of Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Diego_Voci

Signatures of A.Voci and D.Voci can be seen on works Diego Collectors has posted onhttp://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-voci-antonio-diego-voci-3984818.html

Diego Voci on Google and YouTube.

AC DV History #98 1/9/2013

 

 

 

 

THE #WOMAN BEHIND THE #MAN

#MAX AND #DiegoVoci™ PART FIVE

This letter (below) was the seed that led to Stephen & Wendy Max representing DiegoVoci™ from 1981 to 1985. 

 Taunusstein, June 17, 1980

 

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Max,

We hope your trip back to Canada was alright and your painting arrived safely.

Last week we bought our tickets and if nothing unexpected happens we will be arriving in New York on July 10.

Somebody arranged an exhibit in the Officer’s Club in Washington D.C. for Diego on July 12 and 13, therefore we will be going to directly to D.C.  We are planning several exhibits and private parties on our way to the West and will be in Washington State around the 25 of July. We will stay there with our friends in Gig Harbor for several days, they are also planning an exhibit in their gallery and in the Officer’s Club.

I think it is not too far from away from Alberta by plane and we could perhaps fly over to you for 2 days.  Do you know people who would be interested in seeing Diego’s paintings?  Do you think you could arrange a small painting party in your home?  Please write us as soon as possible, so we can organize everything.  We know that Canadians like Diego’s paintings very much and I think that Diego could be quite successful in Canada.

We are waiting for your early reply and in the meantime we remain.

With best wishes.

Helga and Diego

Drawing of Helga Voci

THE #WARMTH OF #SPAIN

#Max and #DiegoVoci™ PART FOUR 

DiegoVoci

“Scene Espagnole” was purchased through Diego’s home in June of 1976.

“During our tour in #Europe we spent many wonderful #vacations and traveled throughout #Spain. It was during these vacation trips we came to appreciate the vibrant #culture and #beauty of the #Spanish people. When we saw the painting “Scene Espagnole” we understood immediately that it reflected our own feelings of the beauty of #Spain.

 Diego’s ability to articulate the #life of people through his #art is unparalleled.

We not only have our own memories of Spain, we appreciate a constant visual reminder of these memories through this #painting and Diego’s art. It was 1976 during our final visit to #Diego’s home in #Schwetzingen we instantly developed a deep appreciation for “Scene Espagnole”. We had by this time, in preparation for our repatriation, converted all of our funds to #Canadian #Dollars and transferred our finances to #Edmonton. Diego’s extraordinary insight and sensitivity focused like a laser beam on our situation and our attraction to this painting. Understanding this, Diego gave us the painting without deposit, simply on our promise we would pay for it on our return to #Canada.

When a few years later I had the opportunity to discuss his trust in me with this painting, I asked Diego what he would do if I hadn’t paid him as I promised, to which he immediately replied, in his playful good natured way  “I would have come to Canada and killed you”.

 

To view quotes by Helga and more information on this painting, visit this link

http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-voci-painting-of-the-week-5154118/Page3.html#58927