Spotlight on Bruce Teleky Inc - news

Bruce Teleky knows how to select a strong suit. "I seem to pick niches," he said. "The retail outlets that are doing best these days are the stores that specialize in particular markets. The specialty stores are not the ones who are sitting around waiting for customers."

Nor is New York-based Bruce Teleky Inc. When ABN caught up with founder/owner Teleky for an interview, he did not have a lot of time to spare. "We are very, very busy," he said. "Business has been incredible."

His company, which got its start in 1974, is a front-runner in the poster distribution arena. Since its start, African-American artists have been a featured cultural niche. And, as the company has grown and evolved, other sectors, too, have become strong sellers, including black-and-white photographic images, coastal photography and, most recently, Asian prints.

Teleky's connection to the African-American art world began during his youth. He attended high school in Harlem and, during the early 1970s, he studied fine arts at Pratt Institute, later attending an artist-in-residency program in Vermont.

"I've always been exposed to the works of African-American artists," he said. "As a student, I did collage work and was greatly influenced by Romare Bearden. While in school, I had the opportunity to work with Bob Blackburn, an educator and printmaker who was very influential in the black community. I also studied with young black artists."

However, he noted that the labeling of artwork as "African-American," was not a distinction that he was aware of until much later in his lifetime. "We all regarded ourselves as printmakers and painters," he said.

"No one was distinguished as producing art of a specific ethnicity."

Although his company has focused on the reproduction of black artists since its inception, Teleky said the sales of those prints did not blossom until the early 1980s when he separated those offerings into a separate division, titled American Vision Gallery.

"I really cannot say why the sales increase occurred," he said. "But, I liked the name American Vision Gallery. I think it is a perfect name because I really don't like the term 'black art.' It sounds restrictive. The term American Vision relates to an avenue of art that is much bigger than a pigeonhole term. Once we changed the name of the line of offerings, sales began to mushroom."

Teleky noted that his niche offerings now go beyond the African-American print market. "We are forerunners in the photography market. Among our best-selling artists are Joseph Riboli, who spearheaded the whole coastal look, and Dan Pollera, who also does coastal imagery. We are also very big in the black-and-white photography market, jazz imagery and museum prints."

The company recently released a new cultural element, a collection of Japanese prints in conjunction with the Brooklyn Museum of Art. "We are now offering beautiful Japanese posters" said Teleky. "These are the best Japanese prints in the business."

The offerings in the Asian line, primarily by artists Hiroshige and Hokusia, range in price from $6 to $25. The prints are available in mini sizes, measuring 12 by 9 inches, and go up to about 23 5/8 inches by 31 1/2 inches.

For Teleky, the imagery strikes his long-term fancy with the art of wood cutting. "As a young artist, I worked in wood cuts," he explained. "These sort of images have always been pleasing to me."

Although Bruce Teleky Inc. focuses on niche images, his offerings are vast. Categories covered in its stable include abstract, animals, art masters, cityscapes, erotica, floral, food, landscapes, Latin American, music, Native American, rainforests, religion, sports, still lifes, transportation and vintage advertising, among others.

Overall, Bruce Teleky Inc. carries about 10,000 poster images with prices ranging from $15 to $30.

As time goes on, Teleky continues to enjoy his career and remains excited by the works of artists who cross his path.

"I enjoy working with young artists," he said. "For instance, I work with Justin Bua, who does hip-hop icons, and people love his work. In my career, I have worked with Frank Morrison and Edwin Lester, who are great artists as well as great businessmen."

"The art world was in the doldrums at one point, but right now it is cooking--and it is booming with excitement," Teleky contended. "There has been a resurgence in the African-American art market and I am very excited to be involved in it. I am working with artists who are talented, and they are invigorating to be around. Their creativity and energy has given me a new sense of inspiration."

FACTS & FIGURE

OWNER Bruce Teleky, president

FOUNDED 1974

EMPLOYEES 15

ARTISTS More than 10,000 images

SHOWS DECOR Expo shows, National Black Fine Art Show, October Gallery

CONTACT Bruce Teleky Inc./American Vision Gallery, 625 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Phone: (800) 835-3539. Web site: www.teleky.com

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group