Independent 20th Century

Donald Ellis Gallery is pleased to participate in the Independent 20th Century, an invitation-only art fair held at the historic Battery Maritime Building in downtown Manhattan between September 7-10, 2023.

In line with the art fair’s dedication to “unsung 20th century heroes”, the gallery will exhibit five extraordinarily important baskets by Louisa Keyser (Dat So La Lee, 1850-1925), an offering of a magnitude not seen in over half a century. Distinguished by her exceptional craftsmanship, Keyser pushed the techniques, forms, and relatively plain surface designs of Southern Washoe basketry to create impressive visually-driven works for sale on the art market. Keyser's artistic innovations position her as a distinctly modern weaver. However, her unrivaled artistic output and extraordinary life story remain largely unknown outside of a small group of specialists. We are pleased to showcase her unique artistry at this prestigious art fair.