Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1532781
DEI m a y b e o u t , b u t t h a n k f u l l y that's not the case in the Houston art world, where diverse talents shine this spring in multicultural solos and group shows. Here are four to see. "Anya's Eye" at Anya Tish Gallery: The late Polish-born gallerist is celebrated with an exhibition curated by director Dawn Ohmer. Twenty-some talents represent the Texas-to-global vision of the beloved Tish. Highlights include installation artist Adela Andea, whose medium is light; obsessive graphite drawings with Pop/retro subjects by Neva Mikulicz; captivating biomorphic creatures by Dan Lam; Katja Loher's Busby Berkeley- worthy choreographed videos that draw upon the natural world; Bumin Kim's textile-wrapped canvases with ombre- light effects; and nonagenarian H.J. Bott's meticulous neo-geo abstractions based on his unwavering Displacement of Volume R A C H E L S O L A R - R E A L T O R ® | 7 1 3 . 4 1 6 . 1 6 0 0 | R A C H E L . S O L A R @ S I R . C O M | R A C H E L S O L A R . C O M Superior service shouldn't be a luxury. principal (March 7 – April 19). "The Architecture of Culture: Works from the Guess Lawson Collection" at Gensler: Bearing nuanced, powerful themes (Individual Worlds, The Female Gaze, Urban Surrealism, Purpose/Self- Discovery), the activist currents of this exhibition feature 60-some works curated by John Guess Jr. with co-curator Danielle Finnerman. Gallerist Janice Bond and Gensler's Stephanie Burritt, Peter Merwin, and Ellen Gravesmill also played key roles in this ambitious show that takes over an entire floor of Gensler's Houston HQ. From the iconic (Betye Saar, Elizabeth Catlett, Hughie Lee- Smith) to Texas Artists of the Year (Dr. John Biggers, Bert Long Jr., Vicki Meek, Dick Wray, and Kermit Oliver), "The Architecture of Culture" underscores Texas Patrons of the Year Guess and Lawson's commitment to collecting, sharing, and supporting the visual arts and artists (through April 11). "Flor Garduño: Paths of Life" at FotoFest: One of the photography shows of the year unveils at FotoFest with a five- decade survey of this Mexican lenswoman's career, spanning both unpublished images plucked from Garduño's personal archive and recent works. Expect a poetic, transcendent exhibition informed by ritual, the metaphysical, and magic realism (March 7 – April 26). Collectors note: FotoFest organizes a benefit dinner, A Magical Evening Immersed in Art, Wednesday, March 5; dine within the exhibition at Silver Street Studios and break bread with the artist (tickets, info fotofest.org/a- d i n n e r - f o r - fotofest). Meet M o n t e r r o s o G a l l e r y : G a l l e r i s t / artist Gabriela M o n t e r r o s o i s a m o n g a w a v e of promising new Houston dealers ready to make their mark — in her case, from a 1,600-square-foot two- story space in the historic Isabella Court complex. The Guatemala-born gallerist has crafted a hybrid gallery/artist residency, often populated with fellow members of the MFAH Glassell Block Program, many like herself from international backgrounds. On view: "Encore 2D/3D Conversations" encompasses talents from acclaimed Guatemala textile artist Priscilla Bianchi to Glassell School of Art ceramics head Jeff Forster (through March 22). Opening March 29, the metaphoric "Crossing Water" features Lindsey Creel Cherry (East Texas), Ima Montoya (Barcelona), Aileen Harvey (London), and Anna Franke (nomadic, Germany to Spain). Monterroso says, "The project embraces a multidisciplinary perspective on the transformative act of crossing water — one that stands also for the literal effort of crossing oceans and rivers in order to meet a new life" (through May 3). Catherine D. Anspon Art Notes WILLIAM ISSAC Left: Flor Garduño's Soul Creator, 1995, at FotoFest. Above: Holly Josey, Gabriela Monterroso, Sebastian Apáestegui, and Marina Fernandez at Monterroso Gallery. 24