April 22, 2008

Mind/Body

April 17, 2008

The Katzen Center for the Arts at American University is the DC's newest large arts institution. It is something of a hybrid - three stories of gorgeous, expansive exhibition space underwritten by the resources of a university, but without a permanent collection. Judging by the shows so far, the Katzen also lacks the overbearing and unpredictable bureaucratic/government oversight of the capital's more offical venues (think Jesse Helms and the famous Mapplethorpe debacle). Jack Rasmussen, its innovative Director, is taking full advantage of the opportunity to mount exciting shows that often have a political edge, such as the Botero Abu Ghraib paintings featured this winter.

my friend Carol Ridker admiring the work

Christenberry's Klan Room Tableau

Christenberry, a member of the Corcoran Faculty for many years and one of this area's truly nationally-renowned artists, has been shown very often in DC, but the Klan Room has not been included out of what can only be an excess of caution/fear/risk aversion on the part of the museums. So, thanks Jack and thanks to AU's Katzen Center, because it is truly worth experiencing. I apologize for the crummy picture, but the lighting is low in the installation and I had to be a bit furtive to avoid being disciplined by the staff.

April 17, 2008 

The Nevin Kelly Gallery will have a booth at the Affordable Art Fair in NYC from June 12 - 15. Over 70 galleries from around the country and beyond will be represented. I will be showing some new work, maybe including these and I'm really excited at the opportunity to see all the art.

Where: The Altman Building / Metropolitan Pavilion, 135 West 18th Street, NYC

When:  Private Preview Cocktail Party, June 11th, 2008     
            Open to public, June 12th - 15th, 2008

I'm planning to attend the preview party. It's open to anyone who wants the first look at the work. Tickets can be purchased and further info obtained through This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

April 16, 2008

piggie

Anyway, notice the little piggie in the lower right corner? That summer I was using the printmaking shop at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and someone noticed that I was incorporating bits of old dress patterns into my monoprints. I came in one morning and found an envelope full of a bunch of little animals and flowers from old applique patterns, including the piggie that I used as a template for that guy. The anonymous donor wrote that she hoped I would enjoy using them, which I certainly have.

April 15, 2008

Molly Ruppert

The Warehouse is, sadly, on life support. Until a few months ago a bustling gathering place with its cafe, theater and gallery, home to art and theater whose only requirement was that it tickled the idiosyncratic taste of Molly, the Warehouse is over the next few months hosting its final art shows. (The current terrific show, The End of Nature, is discussed below.) Molly, Cappy, Paul and other assorted assorted family members have been true friends and supporters to the DC arts community. Many was the Sunday evening when Molly could be found serving her home-made chili, with Cappy and Paul's help, to artists collecting their work from the show coming down that evening

The Rupperts have been looking all over town for alternative space where they can reconstitute the Warehouse spirit. As it turns out, this has been an extremely difficult task. Mid-town is just too expensive for anything but the most upscale of ventures and neighborhoods are afraid of any use that attracts people at night, even on their commercial streets. It makes me so sad I want to cry. Doesn't anyone have a place for the Warehouse??

April 13, 2008 

Morning Becomes Electric

Oxford Avenue

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The Secret of My Every Fleeting Thought

April 13, 2008

No, I don't like all of the art I see. Far from it. But I will not generally write about shows that don't interest me (or worse) with a couple of exceptions: if the artist is prominent and and I think they are just phoning it in, or if a show is hyped and seriously disappoints. In those cases, I think they should be called out. Other than that, there is more than enough good art out there and I just want to let you know about it. Life's too short to waste time on the rest.

April 12, 2008

crayola flowers by Herb williams

Monkey Paws by Jonathan Prull

Renee Shaw's jars