Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/126234
It's all black and white, plus an occasional muscle car: Debra Barrera Because: Her fresh and smart art practice, recently seen in a nearly sold-out solo at Moody Gallery and a concurrent site-specific endeavor for the Blaffer "Window Into Houston" series, begins with the basics: an outsized talent with graphite and a way with good, old-fashioned drawing. And, did we mention, Barrera's ode to the Pennzoil Building, disguised as a work about shipping, stole the show at the inaugural Glasstire benefit auction. On the drawing board — a curatorial turn: Barrera takes the curatorial reigns this spring, organizing the beguilingly titled "Daytime Television" at Paul Middendorf's newly minted Gallery Homeland (through May 26), followed by a foray into printmaking this summer at Moody, in conjunction with Print Houston. In Fall 2014, watch for another much anticipated one-person at Moody Gallery. Represented by Moody Gallery, Houston. Michael Kors striped cashmere top $1,050, and Deck stripe pants $1,295, both at the Michael Kors boutique, Neiman Marcus Saks Fifth Avenue, Tootsies. Nicholas Kirkwood Elaphe sandals $850, at Saks Fifth Avenue, Tootsies. Environments, performances and participatory experiences: Molly Gochman Because: Her now dismantled Commune on North is fondly remembered as an enchanting Alice in Wonderland/Robert Wilson remix of French 18th-century furniture and Astroturf, into which her own sculptures and photography were inserted. And the evolving "The Give-away Project," with its performances melded with luxury goods that the audience got to shop and take home, was another high point in the collective memory of Houston's art history as the ultimate crowd experience. Next stop — land art: We're eagerly awaiting Gochman's future proposals, especially a Braille work for a Long Island beach that invokes the phrase "feel the heat," rendered 80 feet long and spelled out via metal containers and firepits to promote community and bonding. Another upcoming Braille concept involves phrases rendered in grassy berms that once were mere mounds of garbage. Represented by Deborah Colton Gallery, Houston. Brunello Cucinelli leather Monili beaded knit top $3,095, at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tootsies. The Row leather leggings $2,950, at Tootsies. Jimmy Choo Maria suede sandals $895, at the Jimmy Choo boutique, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tootsies. Makeup Renee Gonzalez. Hair Araceli Arredondo, Trellis Spa at The Houstonian. The den mother of conceptualism: Thedra Cullar-Ledford Because: Like a character on the silver screen, this flame-tressed artist has a dual identity: She is both the creator of surprising conceptual sculptures (frosted tire, anyone, or a dress made of socialite pics from the pages of PaperCity) and also the fictive bad boy Wolfgang Fletcher, a photo-collage artist of strange identity and questionable artistic practice. On the horizon — hens calling: This provocateur always keeps us guessing. At her brave new dealer, Wolfgang will make his Avis Frank debut in the gallery's walk-in freezer turned exhibition space on Wednesday, May 15. At the artist's shippingcontainer compound, Independence Art Studios, Vodka Friday bashes are legendary, and a chicken coop with a live webcam is planned — the chick stars are monikered after Houston's most illustrious gala chairs. Represented by Avis Frank Gallery, Houston. Tsumori Chisato dress $515, at Sloan/Hall. Giuseppe Zanotti sandals $850, at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tootsies. Kara Ross printed enamel earrings at Joseph. Alexis Bittar bracelet $395, at Joseph, KuhlLinscomb, Tootsies. Miriam Salat feather swirl ring $325, at Tootsies. Steve Vaubel gold ring $595, at Elizabeth Anthony/Esther Wolf, Joseph. Ledford's own eyewear.