Eye Candy — The Eyes Have It
Above image: Thin Ice by Bert Long, from CAMH’s 2024 exhibition DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS: BLACK CONCEPTUAL ART SINCE 1970
Art stuff this weekend!
FRIDAY
Join Project Row Houses at 7pm for the opening of As Long as these Weeds and Green Grass Grow, an exhibition of paintings and drawings by collaborators Jamal Cyrus & Walter Stanciell. Taking its title from the poem The Signifying Monkey, the exhibition connects black oral and literary traditions to the practice of text based painting. The resulting works utilize the visual elements of Third Ward Sign painting to remember, acknowledge, or disavow important figures and narratives within the development of American expressive culture. As Long as these Weeds and Green Grass Grow will be on view through June 21 in the Project Row Houses two story located at 2521 Holman.
Heath West and Michel Bhichitkul are showing work at the Public Storage on Westheimer in Someone in Texas Loves You. Focused on the spatial effects of material experience, West activates the surface properties of the image by deconstructing traditional painting methods. Trained as an architect, he rebuilds the picture plane with pieces of dyed fabric by sewing them together, emphasizing how the expressive space of the image is smooth yet striated. This contrasting philosophical approach finds its balance within the composed material result of West’s non-paintings and sculptures.
Michael Bhichitkul is interested in outcome situation and wordplay resulting in works manipulated and fabricated into installations, painting, sculpture, video and photography. Head out to the opening from 6-9pm.
Come one come all to the Barbee Manshun for Some Big Art, featuring work by Amy Yang and Natasha Crea. Making art more accessible for the non-traditional art goer like yourself, this event goes on from 10-3am and dress code calls for blazers and ball gowns.
Spend the evening at Houston Center for Photography with the opening reception of three new exhibitions – Bill Armstrong’s Buddha & Mandala, Ryan Bush’s Visions, and selected work made by HCP’s students in Learning Curve 8.
See if you can resist assuming lotus position when viewing Armstrong’s Buddha & Mandala, two bodies of work that create a meditative space by depicting luminous images of his interpretation of Mandalas. Nodding to certain themes in the Buddhist religion, Armstrong alters the depiction of the cosmos and life through his use of abstraction and alteration.
Step into Ryan’s Visions, a three-dimensional presentation of inspiration, nature, and imagination. By using multiple exposures of tree branches and the endless wonders of photoshop, his series goes into the depths of the physical and “subtle” world.
Highlighting an extensive educational and outreach program, HCP presents Learning Curve 8 showcasing a variety of photography styles and mediums selected by Keliy Anderson-Staley, Assistant Professor, Photography and Digital Media, University of Houston. This exhibition showcases the talent from students of all ages and skill level who have participated in HCP’s educational programs.
All three openings are from 5:30-8pm and on view until April 26.
SATURDAY
BLUEorange Contemporary and Duende Art Project invite you to a special pop-up exhibit and book signing from 5-9pm. Fresco Books recently published Texas Abstract: Modern + Contemporary by Michael Paglia and Jim Edwards with cover artwork by Howard Sherman as well as an essay about the artist, and a photo spread including five additional paintings. In the exhibition, Lurching and Cursing in a Field of Tulips, the public will have a chance to view brand new work, on view through March 15. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, as a limited number of hard cover books will be available for purchase at the opening.
Come out to the 4202 T-shirt and Art Exhibit for art and live screen printing featuring Chris Garcia, Ben Perez, Daniel Anguilu, Laura De Leon, Dirttycat Skate Boards, Jesse Rodriguez, Sarah Cloutier-Houston, Victor Casval, Blue Rooster Customs, Melly Mel Cynthia Vela, Sonya Garcia, and Real Street Kloze. Music by Jimmy Shadeaux & the Steel Toe Soul, food provided by YoungBlood Smokers, and drinks from Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company and 8th Wonder Brewery. T-shirts with this art will be sold this night only so be sure to show up from 6-11pm.
Take the drive down to The Galveston Artist Residency for their amazing spring show Plant People, a group exhibition where works are displayed alongside the plants that inspired the artist, creating an environment where plant and art can communicate, and commune, as one and the same. Featured artists Natasha Bowdoin, Dean Daderko, Andrea Dezsö, Tory Fair, Francesca Fuchs, Allison Hunter, Marie Leterme, Gabriel Martinez, Brian Porray, Diana Puntar, Adam Putnam, Lisa Sanditz, and Ann Wood invite you to view their sacred green world with a reception from 6-9pm. Be sure to make it out before May 9th.
