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JUNE | PAGE 6 | 2014 Ever since my colleague Jane Rozelle spotted Irby Pace at the Dallas Art Fair, we've been hyper-curious about the hometown talent who's now assiduously collected as far away as London (where he graces the new J. Crew store). Investigate the gent behind the smoke bombs in idyllic landscapes and abandoned interiors at Galleri Urbane, paired with Texas State University professor Jeffrey Dell of the conjured abstract forms, who just might be the best printmaker in Texas (both shows through July 5) … After reading about L.A. artist Mark Grotjahn in a recent New York Times profile, I have been counting the days until his opening at the Nasher Sculpture Center — the first-ever museum showing for Grotjahn's sculpture. The painted totemic offerings, which are cast in bronze from very surprising and prosaic materials, nod to African tribal masterpieces while recalling Klee's childlike sense of play (through August 17) … Speaking of the anointed, Texas painter Nathan Green, the inaugural artist in The Goss- Michael Foundation's Feature program, has just been snapped up by Hus Galleries, London and Denmark, for representation. Catch Green at the GMF, in good company including Damien Hirst, Marc Quinn, Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley and Angus Fairhurst (through July 31) … Deep in the gentrifying Cedars neighborhood — who would have thought it would be Dallas' next arts district? — Wanda Dye's RE Gallery is mounting the coolly titled "Surf's Up," including blobby but compelling works by Sharon Engelstein and Lily Hanson (through June 29). Dye, among the original pioneers, is now joined by James Cope, who introduces some cutting-edge fare from a late-Victorian-era cottage, And Now. Decidedly under the radar, the new space nonetheless often hears the knock of collectors and museum types at the door (1415 Beaumont St., 214.205.9909, andnow.biz). At And Now June 16 through September: Steinman and Tear. Stay tuned for our little chat with Mr. Cope next month. Catherine D. Anspon Art Notes The name Joe Mancuso is instantly recognizable in the Texas art firmament, calling up images such as stacks of concrete building blocks — Brancusian with a formal beauty that contrasts with the sculpture's humble materials, which are straight out of Home Depot. Then there are his paintings, executed in recent years in latex and collage painstakingly applied to canvas — complex ideas often inspired by an object as simple as the pattern of an antique brooch. His current arsenal of ingredients, as he explains, may be the most tantalizing yet: resin, newsprint, concrete, latex paint, dried flowers. "Many of the materials I use have a predetermined factor to them, whether it is the color, or the nature of the medium," he says. Looking at a litany of figures and forebears including Andy Warhol, Richard Serra and Claude Monet (the list goes on), the Texas-based painter/sculptor reveals, "The artists I admire somewhat contradict one another, which is what I find most interesting. However, my influence isn't limited to just artists. I'm mostly influenced by the feelings I get and my surrounding environment. I try to avoid what other artists are doing and instead respond to everything I come into contact with." Mancuso gives viewers a preview of his new series "Because You're Mine" (a riff on the Johnny Cash classic "I Walk the Line") that opens in September, at Barbara Davis Gallery's booth during year four of the Texas Contemporary Art Fair at George R. Brown Convention Center. "The title of the exhibition is a paradox in itself — it's both tragic and romantic," the artist says. "Right now, I am working on a large-scale sculpture: a chandelier created from dried roses that are coated with epoxy and concrete powder and hang from a cascading wire structure. The concrete removes any color the roses once had, making it like a dimensional drawing. The flowers express the same dichotomy as the title — their process from life to death is so quick. The softness of the petals is heavily contrasted with the hardness of the concrete." Mancuso has exhibited internationally and is widely collected in Texas publicly and privately including representation in the permanent holdings of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He is also in the collection of playwright Edward Albee, who is known as a talent scout for America's most extraordinary visualists. Contemporary Canvas: Joe Mancuso BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR September 4 – 7, 2014 H O U S T O N txcontemporary.com BARBARA DAVIS GALLERY, HOUSTON Joe Mancuso's Colorform, Flowers (detail), 2013, at Barbara Davis Gallery Joe Mancuso in studio Sutra earrings with tanzanite, blue sapphires and diamonds, $30,000 W hat do the First Lady, Taylor Swift and Rihanna have in common? They're all Sutra smitten. Founded in 2008 by Arpita and Divyanshu Navlakha, Sutra Jewels (which means "sacred verses" in Sanskrit) was somewhat serendipitous, as Arpita comes from a long line of jewelers. Originally from Mumbai, India, she moved to Houston to complete her high school education, and the two now split their time between Houston and the factory in India. Each piece offers an outlandish opulence with a gothic edge; signature aesthetics include black-gold and feather or vine designs that allow the gem to take center stage. The couple travels the globe finding the rarest and most striking stones for their stackable black-gold bangles with pink sapphire slices, a dramatic pendant chock-full of emeralds and black diamonds, and cascading tanzanite, blue sapphire and diamond earrings. $5,000 to $350,000, exclusive to Eiseman Jewels. Megan Pruitt Winder HOLY GRAIL Joe Mancuso Irby Pace's Red Pop, 2012, at Galleri Urbane BARBARA DAVIS GALLERY, HOUSTON Spanish brand Camper has collaborated with caustic German designer Bernhard Willhelm. How can you say no to footwear that makes you feel as though you're wearing Ettore Sottsass sculptures on your feet. From $195, at Nordstrom, camper.com ... Austin is having a menswear moment. Criquet shirts, which was started by Billy Nachman and Hobson Brown, has designed a shirt touted as "country club tested and farmer's market approved." What exactly does this mean? Polos made from organic cotton in a range of unobtrusively natty patterns and colors, plus a nifty pocket with button and collars with stays. I'm sold — plus, I like that they're made in Texas. From $75, at criquet shirts.com ... Also toiling away in the capital are the guys at Wrong Side pocket squares, Sam and Josh Newman. These brothers use repurposed fabric from their favorite shirtmakers (among them, Hamilton and Dos Carolinas) to produce handmade pockets squares. With such sources, the tone is classic, clean and crisp — and they're even elegantly economical. $24 a square, at wrongside.com ... Mr. Porter has teamed up with Parisian label Ami for a two-part capsule collection. Behind the brand is Alexandre Mattiussi who started Ami after stints at Givenchy, Dior and Marc Jacobs. The collection makes abundant use of navy, white, saturated green and crimson to express a classically grounded aesthetic that's contemporary and decidedly cool. The navy slim-fit wool jacket can be summed up as perfect; with its notched lapels, patch pockets, double vents and tortoise buttons, I would have no problem wearing it day in and day out. The collection even includes matching trousers, so it can be both part of a suit and a blazer in its own right. From $125, at mrporter.com ... Montblanc celebrates the 90th anniversary of the famed Meisterstück fountain pen this month. The timeless biro, with its red gold nib, resin barrel and gold-plated clip, is still manufactured in Hamburg, as it has been since 1924, in a process that totals more than 100 steps. From $520, at the Montblanc boutique, montblanc.com ... Orlebar Brown, the men's swimwear company famous for swim trunks with side tabs, has teamed up with Grecian artist Konstantin Kakanias for a collection of men's T-shirts and bathing suits. The resulting garments marry a lush exoticism reminiscent of French post-Impressionist Henri Rousseau with the playfully witty and provocative work for which Kakanias is known (most notably, creating the character Mrs. Tependris for The New York Times magazine). The three scenes created for the collaboration include a delightful commingling of pink flamingos, a midday scene in the jungle and a nighttime jungle tableau where mysterious creatures lurk. From $150, at orlebarbrown.com ... I've always believed in the importance of being earnest — or Ernest, as it were. Reconfirming my faith in the trait is men's skincare line Ernest Supplies. The New York-based business recently launched with three products that meet the demands of a dandy's dermis. The cooling shave cream, soap-free gel face wash and protective matte moisturizer are all packaged in astronaut-like pouches with an oxygen barrier protecting the active ingredients and leave a smaller carbon footprint. Best of all, though, is that their design allows you to squeeze out every last bit. From $18.50, at ernestsupplies.com ... Just in time for summertime corniche driving, Autodromo — which crafts an array of fine motoring accessories — has debuted its first pair of sunglasses. The Stelvio frame imparts a sportsman's need for durable and functional accessories while remaining singularly stylish. $349, at autodromo.com. Cheerio, chaps! Seth Vaughan RAFFISH The RAKE HEAD FIRST INTO MEN'S MUST-HAVES FOR JUNE 1. Autodromo's Stelvio sunglasses 2. Konstantin Kakanias for Orlebar Brown 3. Earnest Supplies men's skincare 4. Mr. Porter's exclusive Ami capsule collection 5. Criquet organic cotton button-down 6. Wrong Side pocket squares 7. Montblanc's 90th anniversary Meisterstück fountain pen 8. Bernhard Willhelm sandals for Camper 1. 7. 2. 4. 3. 6. 8. 5.