This past Friday, collectors, critics, gallerists, artists, and other art enthusiasts alike descended upon Mount Analogue to participate in the fifth edition of While Supplies Last. This iteration of the group art show, curated by Seattle artist Anthony White, featured works on paper by over 300 emerging and established artists from different locales—each for the price of $30 for one night only; first come, first served.
Each print was carefully placed in a plastic sheath to protect it from the oils of our dirty hands. There were baskets full of prints on fold-out tables in the gallery space. Sounds of songs from Frank Ocean's Blonde played at a moderate volume from a speaker in the corner. A heater chugged away. There was a quiet, focused intensity to everyone as they began to search through the stacks of art, the plastic making a satisfying noise as people thumbed through it.
Despite this focusedness and intensity, people were nice to each other, kindly handing stacks to the next person once they were finished. Politely asking and remarking on each other's picks, offering "ooohs" and "aaahs" at some of the strange and beautiful art for sale. I commented to someone that going through these baskets, these stacks of works on paper, felt like the physical manifestation of scrolling on Instagram. Maybe that wasn't the best comparison.
After a lot of deliberation, I picked up two pieces: one from Brooklyn-based artist Chelsie Kirkey, whose clouds reminded me of some beautiful, 18th-century landscape painting of ships out at sea, the flock of birds adding to its sense of atmosphere:
Also a work by Caroline Mills about tongue biting. I liked the different styles on the page:
But even with all these niceties, in direct contrast to the well-mannered sharing, Anthony says somebody fucking stole his laptop! From right out of his bag! During this event! The perpetrator has yet to reveal themselves, but at an event meant to make art accessible for more people to see and buy, it definitely feels like a violation of trust to have your shit stolen. We can do better.
While Supplies Last doesn't have a super regular schedule, but keep an ear out—maybe you'll discover something.
