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Lectures and Events

Artist Lecture: Ken Lum The University of British Columbia’s graduate art program director Ken Lum talks about his work: a unique combination of graphic design, photography, and mass media. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Fri. Feb. 4. Microsoft Campus, Building 33 Conference Center, (Redmond), free, 425-722-6591 (directions to building 33 available at 425-703-1800).

Artist Trust Benefit Auction Artist Trust’s massive annual auction will feature donated works by Victoria Adams, Leo Saul Berk, Marita Dingus, Mandy Greer, Victoria Haven, Sherry Markovitz, Mark Mumford, Michael Spafford, Akio Takamori, and Randy Wood among many, many others. Public open gallery: noon-7 p.m. Sat. Feb. 5. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave. N., free, 206-860-5245. Preview party: 7-10 p.m. Thurs. Feb. 3. $10. Auction & Brunch: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $75, advance registration required, 206-467-8734, ext. 16.

Dead Girls Cat fight! Artists Ragan Peck and Nicole Grant engage in a bit of performance art and gratuitous violence in this one-night event billed as a “murderous rampage of glamorous violence, inciting the bloody conflicts between feminism and sexuality, violence and beauty, advertising and exploitation.” Dead Girls: 8-10 p.m. Fri. Feb. 4. Priceless Works, 619 N. 35th St., Suite 100, 206-349-9943. Noon-6 p.m. Thurs.-Sun.

Lecture: Olga Boznanska The late 19th century Polish painter Olga Boznanska was an impressionist in a class with Renoir or Cassatt, but with a unique vision and technique. University of Chicago professor Bozena Shallcross gives a talk and slide show on this underappreciated artist. 7 p.m. Fri. Feb. 4. Walker Ames Room, Kane Hall, UW Campus, free, 206-543-9686.

Lecture: Roman & Islamic Glass Walt Lieberman, part of the glass art duo WD40, gives a lecture on the artistry of Roman and Islamic glass. 2 p.m. Sun. Feb. 6. Museum of Glass, 1801 East Dock St. Tacoma, free with admission, 253-396-1768.

Lecture: Robert Horton & Kathleen Murphy Two local critics talk about nudes, voyeurism, and sexuality in the art of Philip Pearlstein and various film directors (see Seattle Weekly This Week, p. 39). 2 p.m. Sun. Feb. 6. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., free (tickets available one hour prior), 206-622-9250.

First Thursday

Art Institute of Seattle Gallery Joey Robinson’s 27 stark, roughly sketched portraits of black maids are accompanied by stories of their struggles during the civil rights movement. Reception 5-7 p.m. 2323 Elliott Avenue, 206-448-0900. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.

Benham “Meet the Hoffmans” is a selection of what appear to be some lovely travel photos of Myanmar (the country formerly known as Burma) by Olympia couple Carolyn and Edward Hoffman. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 1216 First Ave., 206-622-2480. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Capitol Hill Arts Center Edward Matlock’s pop portraits of friends, painted on birch plywood. Reception: 8-10 p.m. 1621 12th Ave., 206-388-0600. 6-10 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.

Forgotten Works “Levity” collects expressionist paintings of urban and symbolic scenes by local artist Richard Rocha. Reception: 5-8 p.m. 300 S. Washington St., 206-343-7212. noon-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Foster/White Computer viruses, jumbled text, and miscommunication are all themes in Bratsa Bonifacho’s “Habitat Pixel” series of paintings, which call to mind the language works of Ed Ruscha. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 123 S. Jackson, 206-622-2833. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.

G. Gibson Gail Gibson’s gallery returns to Pioneer Square, taking up residence in the Tashiro-Kaplan building alongside Garde Rail, SOIL, and Forgotten Works. The housewarming show will feature gallery favorites Larry Calkins, Mona Kuhn, Lori Nix, and others. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 300 S. Washington St., 206-587-4033. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat.

Gallery 4 Culture I’m not sure what Peter Mundwiler has planned for his solo show “Epics of Wallingford”—other than, of course, a life-sized ceramic Bigfoot en homage to the film Harry and the Hendersons.Reception: 6-8 p.m. 506 Second Ave., Suite 200 (Smith Tower), 206-296-7580. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri.

Gallery 110 Thick brush strokes and expressionist influences from Diebenkorn to Cezanne in these run-of-the-mill figurative painting by two locals: Karen Kosoglad and Pamela Mills. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 110 S. Washington St., 206-624-9336. Noon-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat.

Garde Rail Gregory Blackstock’s magnificent, meticulous, and strange drawings (see this week’s visual arts spotlight, p. 69). Reception: 6-8 p.m. 110 Third Ave. S., 206-621-1055. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.

Greg Kucera Greg Kucera celebrates the opening of new, expanded gallery space and sculpture deck with a show by. . . Gregory Kucera. No, not the gallery owner but the L.A.-based conceptual and video artist of the same name (I’ll admit I was tripped up by the similarity last year when one of Kucera’s videos was part of CoCA’s “Domicile” show). Kucera The Artist does an assortment of stuff, including deadpan videos, digitally created stripe paintings, and sculpture that “inverts” space. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 212 Third Ave., 206-624-0770. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Linda Hodges Contemporary, spiritual twists on the Baroque still life by Vancouver B.C.-based artist Karen Yurkovich. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 316 First Ave. S., 206-624-3034. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Lisa Harris Mitchell Albala’s wispy paintings are inspired by the Alaskan wilderness of Yakutat Bay. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 1922 Pike Pl., 206-443-3315. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun.

OK Hotel Gallery & Studios Live trombone music, “intuitive” painting, and new work by Greg McCorkle and Elan M. Dickerson. Reception: 6-9 p.m. 212 Alaskan Way S.

SOIL “Abstraction Obstruction,” a collection of work by 18 artists, curated by Jeff Burgurt. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 112 Third Ave. S., 206-264-8061. Noon-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sun.

Solomon Fine Art In “Small Tales,” Ellen Garvens, Chris St. Pierre, Nik Tongas, Peter Stanfield, and Linda Welker showcase small paintings, photographs, wall sculptures, and charcoal drawings. Reception: 5-8 p.m. 1215 First Ave., 206-297-1400. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Vain Cut Kulture United, an urban design/art collective, stages “Blow Up the Spot,” featuring Nhon Nguyen’s very cool Sumi-inspired break-dance paintings, cut-vinyl designs by George Estrada and Vittorio Costarelli, and Dave Ho’s assemblages from destroyed skateboards. Reception : 5-8 p.m. 2018 First Ave., 206-441-3441. Noon-7 p.m. Sun.-Tues. ; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wed.-Thurs. ; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

William Traver Kevin Quinn’s stark abstract paintings on steel are nice, I guess, but there’s not much more than decoration going on here. They should sell fancy leather couches to go with them. Reception: 5-8 p.m. 110 Union St., second floor, 206-587-6501. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; noon- 5 p.m. Sun.

Winston Wächter Toronto artist Tony Scherman’s broadly-brushed figurative works of mysterious women and birds have a ready-made decay to them, but the air of mystery seems too forced. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 203 Dexter Ave. N., 206-652-5855, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Other Openings

Bluebottle I have to confess a big and irrational weakness for Kamala Dolphin-Kinglsey’s lush paintings inspired by tattoo-art and stained glass. Her new work, “Somnium” is stocked with a peaceable kingdom of pets, wild creatures, nuns, saints, 1930s Chinese film stars, and mythological figures—all entwined in tentacles of foliage. Sure, a lot of her stuff is dreamy and puppy-sweet, but sometimes you need a break from all the angst and irony. Reception: 7-10 p.m. Sat. Feb. 5. 415 E. Pine St., 206-325-1592. 1-7 p.m. Tue.-Fri., noon-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Francine Seders Michael Spafford has been doing silhouettes of scenes from mythology for well over 30 years, and for me the schtick never gets old. Spafford’s new work includes a series of 4 large paintings and assorted smaller woodcuts from the Iliad. The brutality and pathos of soldiers ripped to bits and babies gutted by sabers is unfortunately all too timely. Also on display: illustrations of Chinese-American life from Beth Lo’s children’s book Mahjong All Day Long.Reception: 2-4 p.m. Sun. Feb. 6. 6701 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-782-0355. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.- Sat, 1-5 p.m. Sun.

Frank & Dunya More of the bright, cheery, and completely pointless stuff this gallery dishes up—this month, textile-inspired paintings by Barbara DiPirro. Reception: 6-9 p.m. Fri. Feb 4. 3418 Fremont Ave. N., 206-547-6760. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Photographic Center Northwest Elinor Carucci’s photographs are almost uncomfortably intimate. In “Closer,” the Israeli-born photographer records the minutiae of bodies behind closed doors: the photographer lying nude with her mother, the imprint left by bedsheets or a zipper on skin, black stitches poking like eyelashes from a loved one’s injured finger. There’s a frank and tender eye in these starkly lit scenes—and layer upon layer of narrative. This is the closest thing to poetry you’re likely to achieve in a photograph. Reception: 6-8 p.m. Fri. Feb. 4. 900 12th Ave., 206-720-7222. Noon-9:30 p.m. Mon.; 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Tues.-Sun.

Pitcairn Scott “Bio-Slump” features graffiti- inspired abstract paintings by Aden Catalani. Reception: 5-9 p.m. Fri. Feb. 3. 2207 Second Ave., 206-448-5380. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Retail Therapy Splashy Pollock knock-offs shot with a screw gun by Chad Thomas. Reception: 7 p.m. Wed. Feb. 2. 905 E. Pike St., 206-324-4092.

Roq La Rue Kustom Kulture is one of those bizarre hybrids that happen when Japanese enthusiasts become completely obsessed with one aspect of Western culture—in this case, good old American hot rods. The Roq will show work by six artists (all with names like Mr. G, Rockin’ Jellybean, and Sugisack). Expect lots of funny car paintings, pinstriped maneki neko dolls, and a mess of other nitro-burnin’, low-ridin’, skulls-and-eagles badass happy-fun goodness. Opening night music by Los Peligrosos. Reception: 6-10 p.m. Fri. Feb. 4. 2316 Second Ave., 206-374-8977. 2-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun.

Windows Art Gallery Paintings by Weldon Butler, who also has work currently on display in SAM’s “Africa in America” exhibit. Reception: 6-10 p.m. Fri. Feb. 4. 4131 Woodland Park Avenue N., 425-806-8044.

Last Chance

Henry Art Gallery “The Work of the Work” is a rewarding and tightly focused exploration of how art works on viewers. Highlights include Seattle video genius Gary Hill’s Tall Ships, Kimsooja’s nearly still video of contemplation; Callum Innes’ lushly brushed abstract paintings, Wolfgang Laib’s radiant installation of hazelnut pollen, and Anne Appleby’s superb color field paintings inspired by Montana nature. UW campus, 206-543-2280. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs. Ends Sun. Feb. 6.

Howard House The Vancouver, B.C.-based duo Hadley and Maxwell’s clever “Décor Project” involves entering the homes of curators and art collectors, rearranging their rooms in unconventional ways, and then working with photographer Sven Boecker to record the process. The result is an allusive, smart, rewardingly complex series that crumbles the barriers between culture’s creators and gatekeepers. 604 Second Ave., 206-256-6399. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. Feb 5.

Seattle Art Museum Rental/Sales Gallery The latest in a series of guest shows of work from various local galleries shines the spotlight on G. Gibson; featured artists include Larry Calkins, Michael Kenna, and Eva Sköld Westerlind. 1220 Third Ave., 206-343-1101. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Ends Sat. Feb. 5.

Western Bridge The second part of Henry Art Gallery’s ambitious show “Work of the Work” highlights art that deals with perception and humanist religiosity. Kimsooja’s jukebox-like Mandala: Zone of Zero broadcasts a cacophony of chanting from Tibetan and Gregorian monks, while Steve McQueen’s gritty video of trip-hop singer Tricky is a near- claustrophobic immersion in a trance state. 3412 Fourth Avenue S. 206-838-7444. Noon-6 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. Ends Sun. Feb. 6.

Galleries

Cornish College Gallery “Record,” a group show by Cornish alums, examines how an event or image is always modified in the retelling. It’s a hit-or-miss group show: Neal Bashor’s intentional artlessness is starting to get old, and both surreal videos by Michelle Sciumbato and David Herbert are clever but don’t quite work. More effective are Rhonda Dee Pritchett’s still shots of death and transfiguration from a family video, Rich Lehl’s strange little cartoons, and Dennis Raine’s hilariously banal word-paintings. First Floor, 100 Lenora St., 206-726-5011. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Davidson Selene Santucci’s paintings in “Left Hand Turns” offer well-proportioned geometric abstractions into which she tucks little symbolic figures—creating a visual cabinet of curiosities. 313 Occidental Ave. S., 206-624-7684. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Greg Kucera In her second solo show at Kucera, Katy Stone displays new, three-dimensional works incorporating strips of painted mylar that cascade and flow with showers of exuberant color. In the past, she’s created sweet little clouds raining blood and waterfalls that rain down baby-blue tears 212 Third Ave., 206-624-0770. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

James Harris Hawaii-based artist Tom Baldwin creates nominally realist little images electronically, and then engages in an e-mail give-and-take, transforming the pictures in collaboration with Vienna artist Gilbert Bretterbrauer. The resulting images, framed in circular compositions, are reduced to abstract studies of shape and color. 309A Third Ave., 206-903-6220. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat.

Kinsey Gallery The late French philosopher Jacques Derrida, who passed away in October, is much admired but little understood in academia and the arts. The creator of deconstruction and differance is celebrated in “Bâtir,” a smart little group show featuring work by Robert Yoder, Buzz Spector, Ryuta Nakajima, and several others. Casey Building, Seattle University, 900 Broadway, 206-296-5360. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Suyama Space Roger Feldman’s “Rock” is composed of three site-specific architectural sculptures that allow the viewer to step inside and experience “a shifting ground of internal resistance, variable balance, and perceptual uncertainty,” according to the press release. In other words, these “buildings” will teeter like a house on a soft foundation. 2324 Second, 206-256-0809. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Museums

Frye Art Museum Mark Ryden’s amazing “Wondertoonel” brings gothic pop surrealism to the sleepy halls of the Frye. The California-based artist’s morbid, masterfully painted images are lurid and blackly comic: Lincoln’s severed head juggles pork chops, Jesus zooms around in his spaceship the Godspeed, freaky stuffed animals carve meat, and wide-eyed Keane-esque kids watch the madness unfold. Also on display: 20th-century artist Philip Pearlstein’s intensely human nude drawings. 704 Terry Ave., 206-622-9250. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs.

Museum of Glass Brothers Einar and Jamex de la Torre create glass wall sculptures with contemporary twists on Mexican folk art. 1801 East Dock St. Tacoma, 253-396-1768. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. (third Thurs. of the month until 8 p.m.); noon-5 p.m. Sun.

Seattle Art Museum “Africa in America” provides a varied and complex exploration of slavery, displacement, and ethnic culture as portrayed in African-American art of the late 20th century. James W. Washington Jr.’s bird sculptures are intensely spiritual; Kara Walker’s disturbing silhouette, I’ll Be a Monkey’s Uncle, transforms stereotypes into highly personal symbols of anger; and Oliver Jackson’s huge, furious volcano of a painting can be seen as both an explosion of fury and a transcendent creative frenzy. The centerpiece of the show is Marita Dingus’s powerful collection of small fabric torsos, 400 Men of African Descent, inspired by the slave forts of Ghana. 100 University St., 206-654-3100. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.