DIEGO VOCI PRECURSOR TO #BASQUIAT?

Diego Voci; “Untitled” Abstract oil on canvas ca. 1966

Amazingly this painting by internationally collected artist Antonio Diego Voci (1920-1985) appeared this year for sale online for $150. Basquiat aficionados at first sight declared it to be a Basquiat, if so he (Basquiat) would have only been 6 years old. See the (above & below) similar impromptu strokes of the brush bringing unrelated shapes and lines together in a strangely beautiful work of art.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) artworks are in demand by the big time art collectors worldwide, selling in the millions of dollars to acquire. Once a lover of #AndyWarhol, Museums covet Basquiat / Warhol collaborative works.

Warhol & Basquiat above Basquiat above

NOTE: Coop Cooprider, Diego Voci Historian, has certified the work shown here as authentic Diego, circa 1966 that’s when Diego left the prestigious Schlossgalerie in Zurich, and moved to Germany, home of his lover and wife to be Helga Drossler. Helga Voci, Diego’s widow still living in Germany confirmed “Yes”, it’s a Diego. He was always experimenting.” There he affiliated with 2 galleries, Naffouj Gallery in Landstuhl and Galerie Dahms in Wiesbaden. The Diego work shown here is one of the very first with the “Diego” signature. Joy Naffouj convinced Diego that since “he” is known by Diego, sign the work “Diego”. Before the “Diego” signature, he signed some form of Voci (https://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-history-4330818.html#43343).

#Urbino, #Italy

…the place where #DiegoVoci™ published a series of prints handmade on special #lithostones in #1978, financed by Naffouj Gallery.

Dr. Jawdat Naffouj, owner of Naffouj Gallery in Altstadt of Landstuhl, Germany.

During a live interview (2012) in Landstuhl, #Germany with Jawdat Naffouj of Naffouj Gallery, Jawdat shared with DiegoVoci™ #Art #Historian Coop Coorider, delivery slips for the Lithographs from Urbino, Italy. These lithographs are first edition signed by DiegoVoci™.

Jawdat Naffouj was not only instrumental to DiegoVoci™’s growth as an #artist but also a catalyst for influencing Diego to change his signature (from D.Voci to DIEGO).

To read more on what is considered an original Lithograph click link: http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-voci-painting-of-the-week-5154118/Page5.html#67831

The #DiegoVoci™ #Estate has numerous DiegoVoci™ authentic lithographs available. http://www.diegovociproject.com/#!acquire-graphics-shopping/c12yh

Fred Curley knew artist DiegoVoci™ https://diegovociproject.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/fred-curley-knew-artist-diegovoci/

FRED CURLEY KNEW #ARTIST #DIEGOVOCI™

A #DiegoVoci™ #Collector, Fred Curley, once worked for Jawdat Naffouj at the Naffouj Gallery in #Landstuhl, #Germany from 1969-71.

The Naffouj Gallery once upon a time was the revolving door for DiegoVoci™ paintings. As Diego shipped them to Naffouj Gallery from one country to the next capturing human emotions on canvas along the way, those paintings were quickly acquired by collectors of all kinds. 

Fred Curley, orchestrated exhibitions for Naffouj Gallery at most all of the #Military Officer’s clubs and Embassy’s in #Belgium.

Fred Curley was the source behind the success of sold DiegoVoci™ works that are still in the hands of the original collectors.  In Fred’s words:

“DiegoVoci™ had quite a following and everyone looked forward to my next show to see his new work. I had the fortune of personally getting to know DiegoVoci™ from working at the Gallery. I remember watching Diego paint and everyone sitting around joking drinking good wine and eating cheese.”

“I have always dreamed of opening my own Gallery when I retire and have the opportunity to offer some great works of art that I had a chance to see and enjoy as a young man. I still travel to Germany and stop in to see Jawdat Naffouj when I am there. The Naffouj Gallery is still there and Jawdat looks good and still has many DiegoVoci (graphics), Diedter Grants and also Pallucci’s in his Gallery. I, myself, own a Diego of a Madonna and Child that I personally watched him paint.”

 

Here is an image (above) of Jawdat Naffouj in 2012 at Naffouj Gallery.

The DiegoVoci™ Project thanks Fred Curley for sharing his own personal experience with DiegoVoci™.

How fortunate for Fred Curley to share so much time with Diego, the man.  Also to personally possess a canvas Fred watched him create, one of Diego’s estimated 4,000 oil paintings.  Are there any photos?  Please contact us at the DiegoVoci™ Project website.  We hope to receive images of your Diego works of art.

AC P of W #293 2/10/16

#FOUND: A 61 YEAR OLD #DiegoVoci™ #PAINTING

“DiegoVoci™ was close to my dad and mom, Coop and Patti. I am one of their 6 daughters Gabrielle (Cooprider) Sillas. We were raised and schooled in Germany and met Diego several times while living there.

In September, 2015, I visited Germany and stopped in #Kaiserslautern, #Ramstein AFB, #Landstuhl, #Weilerbach, and Erfenbach where I lived – the last Cooprider home in #Germany.

While in Landstuhl I surprised Jawdat #Naffouj to say “Hello” at his Naffouj Gallery, where many DiegoVoci™ Collectors bought their Diego #artworks. I babysat Jawdat’s children Alia and Jabby when I was younger, so I saw Diego a lot – he even taught me card tricks.

Jawdat said, “I have something special to show you that your dad has never seen.” Jawdat took time to show me what he says is a ‘self-portrait’ by Diego done in #1955.  What do you think?

Diego signed the painting in red “D Voci”. Jawdat told me it was one of his very “proud possessions” that he was sharing with me. He sees the oil painting as a very precious belonging and has no plans to let go of it!  Joy (nee Gibson) Naffouj and Jawdat were the representatives who convinced ‘Antonio Diego Voci’ to only sign “Diego”, which he did from 1966 until his death December 10, 1985.

My dad, Coop, has been the DiegoVoci™ Historian since 1973. He wrote the “Antonio Diego Voci” biography for Wikipedia. When collectors from the 70’s contact him now, they mention an 8-page catalog – my dad made that, too(*). About the signatures, dad said in Diego’s earliest years he signed only a red ‘Voci’ often with a line under the red.” – Gabriella (Cooprider) Sillas

Send the DiegoVoci™Project your story. Did you meet Jawdat Naffouj? Siegfried Dahms? Joy Gibson? Christine Khan? Or did you meet Helga and Diego? What did Diego say? And do?

Send it to the DVP e-mail address: diegovociproject@gmail.com  

(*) To see the 8-page Catalog go to Artifact Collectors:  http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-history-4330818.html#43392

Dad & Kami posted it in May of 2010 when they started the DiegoVoci™ History Thread!

AC P of W #292 1/30/16

#DESPAIR AND HELPLESSNESS OF THE #POOR

This large #DiegoVoci™ painting “Poor People” was one of two paintings on raw #burlap commissioned by Joy and Jawdat Naffouj. Joy lives in #Canada. Jawdat still operates a #gallery in Landstuhl #Germany. He has several DiegoVoci™ #lithograph editions available that he published in the 1970’s.

“Poor People” 39 ½” x 47 ½”

“Poor People” has never been displayed since completed 50 years ago.  It now resides in the Private Collection of Coop Cooprider in San Diego.  He can be reached at DIEGOVOCIPROJECT@GMAIL.COM.

Many dozens of DiegoVoci™ images have been chosen by #Google.  To see what they select search DiegoVoci™, then click IMAGES.

Courtesy of the all volunteer Diego Voci Project Team

Visit http://www.diegovociproject.com

AC ADV 8/3/11 #178

 

“MY LIFE TOOK ON NEW MEANING, I BECAME MORE” (After DIEGO met Helga DRÖSSLER, January 1960)

“HELGA and DIEGO” by Helga Voci

Chapter 5   #Wiesbaden, #Germany. 1968 Marriage in #Denmark.

“In Spring 1965 Diego wanted to go to #Germany and we came to #Wiesbaden where he had been living for sometime with Josiane, his ex-wife.  We both liked Wiesbaden, so we rented an apartment in #Sonnenbergerstrasse. It was a beautiful place, we got it for a very low price, but had made a contract for 5 years and agreed to renovate it. So for at least 6 months we were living in the middle of sand, concrete, and tiles. But at the end we had a beautiful high ceiling living-room with open fireplace, fantastic new bathroom and a beautiful Studio. We had hand-painted and gold-plated dining-room furniture which I still have today and many beautiful paintings.

In this period #Diego found the Gallery Dahms in Wiesbaden where he exhibited and sold many paintings. He still made caricatures from time to time in #Wiesbaden, #Heidelberg and #Ramstein. There he met Joy Naffouj, a Canadian gallery owner, who was exhibiting different artists in an art show. She was very interested in Diego’s work, so he started to give her some paintings and drawings on commission.

Since his work was selling very well, they both made a contract: so many paintings for so much money per month.  I believe this was when #Diego began signing with the name”Diego.” Before he had mostly signed A.Voci (Antonio Voci) or D.Voci (Diego Voci). It worked quite well.

We finally decided to marry, which we did in January 68 in #Denmark. As #Diego did not have to bother anymore about how to sell his paintings, we decided to spend the winter in the Canary Islands. We took our car in December 1968, with lots of canvases and paints of many colors. We went to #Barcelona and took the boat to Puerto del la Cruz (#Tenerife). We rented a little house on top of a big house with a very big terrace. We had a beautiful view over the ocean. We had wonderful 6 months. #Diego painted each day. Once a month we made a roll of the canvases and sent them to Joy and Jadat Naffouj in #Landstuhl, Germany.

In March 1970 the contract of our apartment in #Wiesbaden finished, the house was supposed to be sold, so Diego had the idea to move to Italy. In March 1970 we ordered a shipping company, deposited our furniture in #Bavaria at my parents` place and left for #Italy. We went to several places and finally rented a villa in Riccione at the Italia Adrian seaside. Diego was painting and still sending his paintings to Naffouj Gallery.”

AC DV History #38 6/15/2010

AC DV History #158 11/20/2013

SEEKING CARUSO! DOES ANYONE KNOW #JERRYCARUSO?

Jerry Caruso wrote to Artifact Collectors on January 27, 2013 that he was interested in selling his Diego landscape, see image below.

Jerry shares,
“We were at Ramstein Air Base from 68 – 74 and have a Diego landscape. The painting is oil on canvas and is approximately 24″ X 36″. We are open to selling it, if you are interested, please make an offer.”

The Diego Voci Project responded but, it seems because it was only a “Guest” post instead of registering as an Artifact Collectors Member (it’s free), everything is lost somewhere in cyberspace.

The official Diego Voci Archive needs more historical details on this painting.  We can tell it is from the late 60’s and probably came from Joy and Jawdat Naffouj by the frame and the “J” by the serial number.  During this time-frame of 1968-74, DIEGO was represented by Canadian art dealer Joy Gibson beginning in 1965. Joy’s business was located in Zweibrucken, Germany and located near with the Canadian Air Force Base, it was there where she met Jawdat Naffouj then soon moved to Ramstein / Landstuhl where they established a gallery and got married.

Please contact us diegovociproject@gmail.com or visit www.diegovociproject.com.

 

AC P of W #110 2/4/2013