Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice-Commander, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Turner’s Gallery of Fine Art - Making The Scene
Oed V was rapidly becoming a destination for the ‘art crowd’ of the quadrant. Thanks to some very generous donations arraigned by the Finance Minister, a select few galleries had opened and the response had been immediate and quite positive. At the center of the new movement was the art gallery of one Franklin Turner. Turner’s Gallery on Outpost 42 had been well known throughout the sector’s art circles as the place where hard to find pieces could be found, artists commissioned, and most importantly… for the shows. Now that he had relocated to Oed V, Turner’s shows had increased in visibility, glamour… and size. The Turner Gallery shows tended to showcase well-established artists in all mediums, but every now and then he hosted a new up-and-coming talent. It was one of these shows that Franklin was setting up for; in a multi-aryist showcase featuring the metalwork of Eryn; a reclusive artist of no small reputation.

“Trust me. No one will know it’s your work. Quite honestly, the anonymity of the artist is drawing as much attention as some of the pieces in the catalog.” Franklin said with a pat on the shoulder to the man standing next to him. They were both watching one of the gallery workers hang a particularly striking piece of black and gold fractal patterns.

“Ok, as long as we are clear. I don’t want nobody gettin’ back to me on this.” the dark-red skinned man said.

“Not at all. I guarantee you. Just like the Outpost, I have it all ready. And, to put the rest of your mind at ease, I have arraigned the proceeds of any sales to go as you have directed. Seventy-five percent will be sent to the accounts of the Osage Nation via anonymous donations. Twenty percent goes to the Medicine Without Borders Foundation, and the remaining five to the account here on the colony. All as you have requested.” and he stepped forward “Up on the left corner, Saul… yes. Right there. Good.”

Tenkiller looked around. There were about two dozen pieces he had done, each abstract… but with an underlying sense of order. He looked around again and then said “Ok, Frank. They’re all yours. See you for the opening tonight.” and the Vice Commander of the Colonial Customs and Defense Agency walked out of the gallery.

Tenkiller, VC - CCDA

Eryn’s metal work art was well known and the Korda family was very proud of her skill. In fact they are the ones who arranged for her first show on Risa. Since then the gallery on Risa had exclusive rights to showcase her work. The Kordas liked it that way. Oh there had been requests before from other galleries, but the Kordas always ignored it. The first exception was when Eryn had arrived on Oed and discovered the Risan Gallery had a small showroom here at the colony. Being the same proprietor it had been easy to convince Mother Korda. Eryn had also helped headline for a few new up coming artists on Risa.

Arranging to display her pieces with Turner had taken some ‘negotiation’ Eryn-style. She was giving a larger chunck of the profit to Mother Korda, but Eryn didn’t care about that. Her pieces brought in more than she needed, but after this show Eryn would continue to ‘thank’ the family but she would be in charge of where, when, and with whom she showcased. Slowly breaking ties.

At the delivery entrance to Turner’s the irritated clipped Russian accent of Eryn carried clearly into the Gallery proper. “You do NOT handle my art vork! Only zhose I hired vill move zhe crates.” There was a pause and then a laugh that was not amused. “Little boy, you don’t touch. I do not require your assistance. Do I need to show you vhat happens if you try?” Grumbling from Turner’s workers were heard and the sound of anti-grav sleds as the crates ranging from a ring box to ones half the size of the loading dock were moved.

The heavy thunk of boots and the white blonde woman made her way into the gallery proper. Brown leather pants tucked into heavy combat books with a elegant silk blouse in midnight blue adorned the reclusive artist. “Turner? Vhere is Turner? I must show him this piece. It is most delicate.”

Eryn