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AL FRESCO & DANCING THE WORM DINING BY LISA COLLINS SHADDOCK. PHOTOGRAPHY KIM LEESON. A rtists don't like to look backwards. They like to look forward," said Michael Auping, former chief curator of the Modern Museum of Fort Worth, at the opening- night dinner celebrating the exhibition "Mark Bradford: End Papers." But this particular exhibit, which Auping guest-curated in collaboration with the artist, offers a generous look back through pivotal works from as long as 20 years ago. The abstract paintings and collages center on a key material and motif Mark Bradford began exploring early in his career: end papers, the small sheets of translucent paper he worked with when he was a hairdresser in his mother's salon in South Los Angeles. Bradford had discussed this time in his life and the impact it had on his work at a lecture the evening before, where he was joined by friends Cleo Hill-Jackson, founder of the African American Cosmetologist Hall of Fame, and Tina Knowles-Lawson, founder and artistic director of Tina's Angels, a mentorship program for young women. Knowles-Lawson, of course, is better known as mom to Beyoncé and Solange — and if you've ever questioned the power of genetics, simply take a look at her in the leopard print bodysuit she wore to the opening night. The celebratory dinner was held semi al fresco — a fi rst for the Modern — in a clear tent erected beside the museum's refl ecting pool and fi lled with glowing lanterns and tables set with blush linens and pale hydrangeas. Auping addressed the well-heeled crowd of members, donors, and friends with his heartfelt thanks and a tribute to the late Modern benefactor Anne Marion, whose advice to him was to take risks and to never give a speech longer than it would take her to fi nish a scotch. Having taken the one-scotch rule to heart, he wrapped up his remarks quickly, leaving time for him to graciously visit each table and for all to enjoy an after- party with DJ Spinderella, including Knowles-Lawson dancing to "Crazy In Love" and all six feet, seven inches of Mark Bradford doing the worm while everyone cheered him on. DANCING INTO THE NIGHT: Wendy and Jeremy Strick, Michael Corman and Kevin Fink, Sonya and Amar Tanna, Alyce Jones, John Runyon, Andrea Karnes, Kendal Smith-Lake, Suzi Woo, Lynsey Wiley Provost, Carol Lee Pryor, and Charlie and Jory Caulkins. PHOTOS COURTESY MODERN ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTH OPENING NIGHT WITH MARK BRADFORD AT THE MODERN Tina Knowles-Lawson, Mark Bradford Suzanne McFayden Allie Nikolaisen Dale Brock, Alison Hearst Natalie Hagan, Maria Renna Brian Saliman, Larry Matthews Dance party Melanie Jones Christina Rodgers Amy Akanni work at a lecture the evening before, Cleo late Modern benefactor Anne Marion, whose advice to him was to take risks Amy Akanni DJ Spinderella PRE-COVID-19